Rugby: Melrose Sevens to pay tribute to Doddie Weir
Last updated 23rd Mar 2023
Everyone attending this year's Melrose Sevens is being encouraged to show their support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation by wearing a piece of its famous blue and yellow tartan.
The Greenyards club has announced it's teaming up with the charity for next month's event to help raise awareness of the work it's doing to improve the lives of people with Motor Neurone Disease.
Its founder, Doddie Weir, known for his colourful suits and big personality, was part of the Co-optimists side that won the competition in 1993.
The former Scotland and Lions player was a regular at the Greenyards for the Sevens before his diagnosis and eventual passing last year. And, as a mark of respect, the Melrose pipe band will play a rendition of Flower of Scotland before this year's final.
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Tournament Director Phil Morris said: “Doddie is greatly missed by everyone at Melrose Rugby and we hope we can provide a small, but fitting, tribute to the big man at this year’s Sevens; as well as helping to continue to raise funds in the fight to rid the world of MND.”
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Doddie tartan, including scarves and bucket hats, will be on sale at the merchandise outlet in the Fanzone.
This year's event kicks-off with a tie between Boroughmuir and Kelso at 11am on Saturday, April 8th.
Tickets are available online: https://melrose7s.co.uk/tickets/
In December, tartan and tears filled the Greenyards, as the rugby community came together to celebrate the life of the 52-year-old, who made his name playing for Melrose.
There were also tributes from Doddie's former teammates - Carl Hogg, Rob Wainwright and the chairman of Scottish rugby, John Jeffrey.
But the final word went to Doddie himself who, after six years of battling MND, said: "Whatever your situation, make the most you can of each and every day. Be nice to people, and laugh as much as possible."
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