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A decision most will have considered inevitable is now official. The 2020 Rugby Americas North Sevens tournament has now been cancelled. Due to be hosted by the Bahamas in November, the event was set to feature men’s and women’s teams at under-18 level for the first time in addition to the senior draw.
RAN General Manager Niall Brooks provided a statement in an official release:
“The decision by RAN EXCO was not taken lightly and a number of factors were taken into consideration, not least the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the implications on international travel restrictions, self-isolation requirements, and the welfare of players, officials, and spectators.
“With many Member Unions returning to play and commencing preparations for the Sevens, it was deemed to be in everyone’s best interest to take the decision to cancel the events, so as to bring certainty to the situation and to avoid any unnecessary costs.”
The 2019 tournament served as a qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics but with those spots now secured there was no immediate requirement to complete the 2020 event. It’s a decision that is consistent with the earlier cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-2020 World Sevens Series and the first four events of the 2020-2021 Series, the Oceania leg axed earlier this week.
