Clare coach brimming with excitement for Olympic Sevens

ED Slattery is aware the sport of Rugby Sevens is often fighting for attention from the public with the traditional 15-a-side format dominating the airwaves, writes Ivan Smyth.
However, the Athletic Performance Coach with Ireland Men’s Rugby Sevens side believes the team’s qualification for Tokyo has captured the public’s attention.
“The support has been brilliant. The country is rowing in behind these lads. We have been getting more eyes on the sport. This is about the boys who’ve worked so hard to get here and luckily they’ve been getting a lot of support.”
Rugby is a huge part of Ed’s life. His local club St Senan’s RFC named their stadium Jimmy Slattery Park, in honour of his late father. The 33-year-old works with Sevens players to ensure they are at their physical peak while helping to reduce the possibility of injury. Slattery is passionate about his role within the IRFU.
“I am lucky to work in the IRFU for six years. I worked with the women’s rugby team initially. Over time I ended up more and more with the Sevens teams. When we qualified for the World Series I ended up working full time with the Sevens. It is a hugely exciting position as I get to work with a great bunch of lads.”
The Shannon man believes that Sevens is an important sport within Ireland as it can help players when playing the traditional 15-a-side game. Irish full-back Hugo Keenan and winger Robert Baloucoune scored a try each in Ireland’s most recent test against the USA. The pair both played Sevens rugby before deciding to focus on playing 15-a-side.
“Playing the Sevens is a part of the pathway. It is a great way of developing players. Hugo and Robert both played Sevens and I think it served them well. In the Sevens you are exposed to more passing and tackling. In the 15 a side, you can maybe get away with missing a tackle but you can’t in Sevens.”
Ireland are in a pool with South Africa, USA and Kenya with the competition taking place between July 26 to 28. Slattery is excited to see how Ireland fare in their first Olympic campaign.
“We just want to see them perform. They lads have earned their place in Tokyo. It certainly hasn’t been handed to them. The Olympics always generates a global audience so we hope the boys can put in a performance and then we will see where that takes us. The goal to reach Tokyo was set a long time ago and we are extremely proud that they’ve got here.”