Around 160 primary school children from across Glasgow joined Scotland 7s star Pete Horne at Scotstoun Stadium today (Friday) for a rugby festival ahead of the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s – the Scottish leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

As excitement builds towards the Glasgow 7s this May, the Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, was also on hand at Scotstoun to highlight the event legacy in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and help announce a ticket deal that will help deliver that legacy.

Clubs can earn commission by registering on www.Glasgow7s.com/groups and by selling Glasgow7s tickets.  In addition, clubs and schools in Glasgow and surrounding areas will be eligible for a contribution of up to £200 to help with their travel costs, the maximum will be available to clubs from outside the city (with the furthest distances to travel).

The HSBC Sevens World Series, which is watched in more than 140 countries and has a global following of over 200 million, will make its Scotstoun debut on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May. Around 30,000 fans are expected to turn out to watch some of the best rugby players in the world go head to head in the seven-a-side format.

Councillor Graham said: “Glasgow is one of the world’s leading sporting cities and the relocation of the HSBC Sevens World Series to Scotstoun Stadium marks our arrival on a global stage when it comes to rugby. The Glasgow 7s will be a truly world-class tournament and provides the perfect introduction to the game of sevens right here at Scotstoun.

"As a city we have been doing all we can to increase participation and build an audience for sevens ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Rugby festivals and world-class events such as the Glasgow 7s will play a vital role in helping us achieve this.”

Former Scotland international rugby player Thom Evans, an ambassador for the Emirates Airlines Glasgow7s, is also in Glasgow this weekend as he bids for a place in the athletics team for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

On the success of sevens as a sport, Thom said: “You only to have to look at Lee Jones, he had a great run in the sevens series last year and he’s now a full international.  My brother Max, Ross Rennie, Greig Laidlaw all these guys have come through the sevens circuit.

“Having lived in Glasgow for a good five years I think it’s going to be unbelievable to have not just the Commonwealth Games but the sevens here for the next three years too.  The city is so positive about sport and I know it’s going to be a great success.”

Pete Horne, a current Scotland 7s internationalist and Glasgow Warriors player, said:  “The kids here are getting a taste of what sevens is all about.  It’s amazing to travel all over the world with the series butI know all the boys can’t wait to get back home to Glasgow and take part in what will be a fantastic weekend.”

A total of 16 nations from across the globe will take part in the penultimate leg of the World Series in Glasgow. Other host cities include Las Vegas, Dubai, Hong Kong and Tokyo, reinforcing Glasgow’s position as one of the world’s leading sporting cities.

The relocation of the Scottish leg of the World Series from Murrayfield to Scotstoun is part of Glasgow’s continued commitment to rugby in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Early Bird tickets for the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s are on sale now at the price of just £10 for those who buy before the end of the RBS 6 Nations (17 March). All concessions are at half the equivalent adult price.  Tickets will be sold for particular stands and designated days, with two-day ‘weekend’ tickets also available. Click here to buy your tickets now.
 
For more information on the tournament and for the latest news on Scotland 7s visit www.glasgow7s.com and follow us on Twitter @Glasgow7s.