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Seriously Injured Rugby Players to be reunited at Wellington Sevens

Thursday 3 February 2011, 11:32AM

By New Zealand Rugby Foundation

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WELLINGTON CITY

Twenty-three rugby players who suffered career-ending injuries in the sport are to bereunited at the Wellington Sevens thanks to the New Zealand Rugby Foundation.

For the players, who come from all around the country, it will be a chance to see oldfriends with whom they went through rehabilitation from their spinal injuries with.Some of the former rugby players haven‟t seen each other in twenty years.

Gary McMurray, one of the former players, is looking forward to seeing how all theplayers have progressed.

“I‟m excited about going to the rugby, and catching up with my fellow Foundationmates.

“There have been lots of guys who I have had influence with post-injury, and it‟ll begreat to see how they are going.”

New Zealand Rugby Foundation CEO, Andrew Flexman, says it‟s excellent that theFoundation are able to provide this opportunity.

“It is a wonderful means of bringing our injured players together for what has becomeone of the world‟s pre-eminent sporting events.”

“As an organisation we work very hard to ensure our injured players remainconnected with the rugby community and this is one initiative that helps us achievethat goal.”

Along with attending the Sevens, the New Zealand Rugby Union is hosting a functionfor the players, which will be attended by members of the Board and SeniorManagement.

The attendees will be entertained by Sky Sports Commentator ScottyStevenson and Crowd Goes Wild Presenter James McOnie.

With the help of sponsors and donations this is the second time the Foundation hasbeen able to make the trip to Wellington for the Sevens.

“Without the support of patrons, the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the generalpublic, this trip just would not be possible,” says Mr Flexman.The New Zealand Rugby Foundation is also arranging for the New Zealand Sevensteam to meet the players, for some photo‟s and autographs.

Mr Flexman says „all is in place for a great weekend, the biggest issue for the boysnow is coming up with sufficiently whacky costumes