Ned Haig

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Ned Haig (born 7 December 1858 in Jedburgh, Scotland - died 28 March 1939 in Melrose, Scotland) was a butcher and rugby union player notable for founding the sport of rugby sevens. He moved to Melrose when he was young. There he took up rugby (now rugby union) and joined Melrose Rugby Football Club (RFC) in 1880. In 1883 Haig suggested hosting a sports tournament to help raise money for the Melrose RFC and came up with the idea of playing with seven rather than 15 a side and reducing the match length to 15 minutes (from 80 minutes).

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[edit] Early life

Haig was born in Jedburgh, moving to Melrose when young. He was employed at a butcher's shop. After participating in the traditional annual Fastern's E'en Ba game, he became interested in the similar game of rugby union, joining the local Melrose RFC side in 1880, initially playing for the seconds before making the first team and also playing for the South.

[edit] Origin of Sevens Rugby

In 1883, with the club short of funds, Haig suggested hosting a tournament as part of a sports day to raise money. As it would not be possible to play several rugby games in one afternoon with a full squad of 15, teams for the tournament were reduced to seven men, with the match time reduced to 15 minutes.

The inaugural Melrose Sports took place on the 28th April 1883, and included foot races, drop-kicks, dribbling races and place kicking as well as the main attraction of the rugby tournament, which attracted eight teams. Haig played on the Melrose team, which would go on to defeat local rivals Gala in the final, receiving a cup donated by the ladies of Melrose (now known as The Ladies Cup). The immediate success of the tournament meant that other clubs in the Borders region also set up their own Rugby Sevens competitions.

After Haig retired from competition, he continued to take an active part in the running of the club, serving for several seasons on the General and Match committee. He died in Melrose on 28th March 1939.

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Persondata
NAME Ned Haig
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Inventor of rugby sevens
DATE OF BIRTH 7 December 1858
PLACE OF BIRTH Jedburgh, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH 28 March 1939
PLACE OF DEATH Melrose, Scotland