Melrose Sevens back up to speed after broadband deal converted

Grassroots rugby in the Scottish Borders is back up to speed after the conversion of a sponsorship deal with a top broadband provider.

Scottish independent broadband provider, GoFibre, has announced the renewal of its sponsorship of the iconic Melrose Sevens.

The Borders-founded company, an official platinum communications partner for the event, will once again support the renowned tournament which will kick off on Thursday, April 11, 2024 and continue until the 13th.

Designed to support grassroots rugby, GoFibre and Melrose Sevens will host an under 18s competition during the afternoon of Friday, April 12, followed by a Borders U18s tournament and culminating in the final of the Jim Telfer Cup under the floodlights.

On Saturday, April 13, Durham University will take up their well-earned place to compete for the 1883 Centenary Cup after winning the GoFibre Pre-Qualification Tournament in 2023, supported by GoFibre’s prize fund of £1,000. In total, 24 men’s teams and four women’s teams will compete at the home of rugby sevens for the coveted accolade of being crowned tournament winners of the 1883 Centenary Cup and Mike Bleasdale Cup.

The local broadband provider will also be sponsoring the event’s family food village throughout the three-day weekend. This area was hugely popular in 2023 and offers a variety of delicious street style food vans, with picnic tables to allow families to gather.

Last year, GoFibre connected its transformative full fibre technology to the Greenyards. The full fibre upgrade to the clubhouse’s facilities has improved the club’s capacity to host events and helped future-proof it for the next generation of Melrose Rugby.

GoFibre continues to roll out its full fibre network across the Scottish Borders, with more than 9,000 premises across Galashiels, Kelso, Coldstream and St Boswells already able to sign up and instantly benefit from GoFibre’s future-proof digital connectivity. Further construction is underway in Hawick, Jedburgh, Duns, Eyemouth, and Selkirk, which, when complete, will be able to connect approximately 27,000 more local residents and businesses to the power of full fibre.

Sam Calvert, chief revenue officer, GoFibre said: “Melrose Sevens is a tournament that is rightly globally renowned, and after great success last year, with Durham University triumphing in our inaugural grassroots competition, it’s great to be supporting it again.

“Grassroots rugby is fighting an ongoing struggle, and we’re determined to provide continuous support and opportunities to ensure that these clubs, which are pillars of their communities, are not forgotten or left behind.

“We’re immensely proud of the partnership as we continue to expand our presence in the Scottish Borders with our transformative full fibre broadband.”

Phil Morris, tournament director at Melrose Rugby Club, said: “Melrose Sevens has been a staple of the Border’s community for many years, and to have the continued support of a Borders-founded partner is nothing short of extraordinary.

“Melrose Sevens is a weekend of community; it is an event that allows grassroots teams and supporters from around the country to come together under the united banner of a love for the game, and we’d like to thank GoFibre for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming supporters from across the Borders and Northern England to experience the highs of the Melrose Sevens firsthand.”

Tickets for the 2024 Melrose Sevens will be priced at £35 for adults and £15 for under 18s with primary age children and infants being free of charge. All tickets include access to Friday’s rugby. Tickets are available now at www.melrose7s.co.uk

To find out how GoFibre is making a difference in local communities with its full fibre broadband services and to register interest, visit www.gofibre.co.uk