For the official comment on the 2002 tournament week by the organisers please read on . .

Official comment from the organisers in 2002

At the time of writing this 2002 report, not one drop of rain has fallen on the SW London pitches for exactly seventeen days and two hours!  Obviously people had been doing a Sahara Desert rain dance for us in advance.

There is no way of expressing the gratitude for the support everyone gave the organisers and the following in no “pecking order” must be recognised.  Everyone involved in this Tournament deserves a special medal but that would only denigrate the importance of the award!  However….

Immense gratitude must be given to our Sponsor, the Army, whose Officers’ and soldiers’ unfailing good humour and support is to be applauded.

*To all the players and staff, especially those i/c the Girls squads, whose ad hoc competition was hastily re-arranged at Epsom College a very big thank you for your patience and general support.  

*To all the Exhibitors and Tournament Supporters whose attendance is vital to create a “Festival of Rugby”.  

*To Epsom College, who very kindly arranged the Girls’ competition at the last minute.  

*To all the Ground Managers and Control Unit Stewards without whom the 2002 Tournament could not have taken place.  

*To the Communications Service  Managers and the Website Manager whose services are invaluable during the year and especially during the 7s week.  

*To all the Referees under the Management of Bob and Pauline Jenkins – again the Tournament could not take place without them.

*To all the Volunteers who not only do the job they say they will do but will also slot in and do anything required – these people are solid gold!  

*To all the Ground staff at all the venues for their unfailing help and willingness to “get something sorted out”.  Not everything is possible, but they put in 110% to help.  

*We did manage to get through the Festival, Open, Preps and Juniors but we can only say that the unprecedented weather prohibited the Colts and Girls Tournaments from taking place.  If we had not cancelled the Colts (Tuesday 19^th March) the pitches would have been unplayable for the rest of the week.  We took this decision very regretfully and with the utmost disappointment.  Despite huge investment in pitch drainage, pitch staff and four extra pitches for emergencies, we could not  eventually provide safety for the players.  Other  Rugby Competitions had been cancelled prior to the Nationals, as well as other sporting events.  We cannot postpone  any part of the Tournament, as this would be impossible for the schools, the infrastructure of the Tournament, the Exhibitors, and everyone involved to be available.

We thank all the parents and schools for your letters, faxes and e mails of support and thanks but would also like you to know that the Organisers have received several letters of complaint from parents of players – some unsigned – blaming us for the weather, the pitch conditions, the general organisation and one in particular demanded to know why we did not have “contingency plans for other pitches elsewhere”. 

If any one knows where one can within 24 hours find 19 pitches, with changing rooms, catering facilities, PA systems, referees, control units, organisers willing to go elsewhere with possibly 7,500 players, please get in touch.  Otherwise, please shut up and stop complaining – your child is one of seven and a half thousand players.  He/she may the captain of the squad but every SINGLE player is important to us. 

Peter and Rose Tanner

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