Rugby
GARY Brannan of Langholm was on the winning Wailers team at the Kinsale International Sevens in Ireland.
The event is held over two days in front of up to 5,000 people. Players involved were from the English Championship, National 1 and National 2 leagues.
The Wailers are an elite invitational 7, formed in 2005 by Andy Howells.
Predominantly, the team was made up of players from Newcastle Falcons Academy but this has evolved during the years and now The Wailers can call on players from the UK and Europe.
The team won its first tournament in 2006 at the Kinsale International Sevens, Cork.
The Wailers have been finalists in the Amsterdam Sevens twice, taking the title once, competition champions in Carrick and Rome and finalists five times in the prestigious Dubai Sevens.
Former Wailers include Scotland winger Tim Visser, international Sevens players Ollie Philips (England), Scot Riddell and Andrew Skeen (Scotland), Sam Cross (Wales), and Ollie Marchon, Michael Ellery, Dan Bibby, Sam Edgerly and Tom Powell, all England Sevens players.
Gary has been involved with the Wailers for three years after a chance conversation with Gareth Kerr, head coach.
Gary was invited to Newcastle Falcons Sevens for some personal development with the side. He has travelled with the team to some of the biggest clubs in England for tournaments, including Bath and Worcester Warriors.
He has been lucky to have coached some up-and-coming players, notably Adam Radawan (Newcastle Falcons) and Afon Bagshaw (Wales Sevens).
He said: “Everyone who plays for the Wailers are like family. The team mantra is ‘we are all mates’ and we all enjoy our rugby and have fun.
“The Wailers have helped me develop as a coach and a person because they opened the door to be able to coach an elite invitational side, something I’m eternally grateful for.”
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