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It’s a sport not normally associated with spandex and sequins, but the launch of the 2011 Melrose Sevens was this year all about 1970s glam.

The glitzy launch was to announce that this year’s tournament is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, which is celebrating its centenary.

The line-up at The Greenyards saw students/models from Heriot Watt University modelling 70's-style garments that were 'up-cycled' from charity shops – and which have been shown at two shows in Edinburgh and the Heriot Watt campus in Netherdale.

They joined other players and friends and the charity’s fundraisers – alongside Macmillan Man, the charity’s mascot.

The charity works to improve the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support as well as pushing for better cancer care. It funded its first Macmillan nurse in 1975, and today funds over 4,500 health professionals from doctors to nurses, and from physiotherapists to dieticians.

“The Melrose Sevens is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support in its centenary year in recognition of the support they have given to people affected by cancer since the charity was founded in 1911. Our theme will also, we hope, help to highlight how treatments and outcomes have improved in just a few years,” said Douglas Hardie, marketing convenor, Melrose RFC.

Every year, the Melrose Sevens attracts supporters in fancy dress and the Club will this year be offering a cash prize for the best fancy dress costume, to encourage supporters to make the occasion even more colourful.

Director of Macmillan Cancer Support, Elspeth Atkinson, said: “We are delighted that the Melrose Sevens is helping us raise money this year. It’s such a huge event in the rugby calendar and we also hope it will raise the profile of our work. This partnership is a lovely way to celebrate the charity’s 100th birthday.”

Tickets for the 128th annual Melrose Sevens (9th April), priced from £20.

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said, “EventScotland has supported the Melrose Sevens since 2008. This year marks the first where it will receive funding through our International Funding Programme to help broaden the reach of the event.

“The event has an ever increasing global appeal as the sport looks towards Olympic inclusion in 2016 and it will be one of the sports in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. As the birthplace of the seven-a-side game, we believe the tournament can continue to grow and attract visitors and supporters from far beyond the Scottish Borders,” he said.

The draw for both the Melrose Sevens and the Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament will take place at Melrose RFC on Saturday 2nd April. The teams taking part are:

Melrose Sevens ( Saturday 9th April)

Hamilton (South Africa), Waikato (New Zealand), Hong Kong Scottish, Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso, Langholm, Gala, Jedforest, Peebles, Ayr, Heriots, West of Scotland, Watsonians, Boroughmuir, Currie, Dundee HS, Glasgow Hawks, Stirling County, Stewarts Melville, Falkirk, Aberdeen Grammar, Edinburgh Academicals.

Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament (Friday 8th April)

Cayman Islands & Hawick Harlequins, Hamilton (South Africa) and Tyndale (Northumberland), Orkney, Morgan Old Blacks, Edinburgh Academicals, Melrose, Islay, Madras, Glasgow Hawks, Puffin Gannets (North Berwick).

Ends