BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Ekoku wary of Sevens shake-up

Bradford chief executive Abi Ekoku has dismissed calls for the Middlesex Sevens to become a cross-code tournament.

Bradford chief executive Abi Ekoku
Ekoku is wary of changing the Middlesex Sevens format
The Bulls were impressive winners of the annual competition last weekend, beating a host of union sides along the way.

And their success prompted pleas for the Twickenham showpiece to be turned into a cross-code event.

But Ekoku told BBC Sport Online he did not think that would happen.

Sevens needs league input

"I can't see the organisers of the Middlesex Sevens wanting to change the format of their own competition," he said.

"It's a great occasion but to have union and league clubs competing on a formalised and regular basis wouldn't work because of the respective demands of the top clubs.

"I don't think any of the coaches would deem Sevens as a priority.

"You're not going to sacrifice the chance to win honours to participate in a cross-code event. What we took part in was a one-off."

Anything that the fans respond to has to be deemed worthy of pursuit

Abi Ekoku

But Ekoku did not rule out future participation in union tournaments, in particular next season's Middlesex Sevens, where the Bulls will be the defending champions.

He also urged rugby league to come up with a similar event of their own to promote the merits of the 13-man game.

Your say: Time for Sevens shake-up?

"If there is an established competition like the Middlesex Sevens and we get an occasional invite then I think that's great," he said.

"Similarly, I think it's up to rugby league to have an open competition, be it a sevens or nines tournament to which it can then invite some of the rugby union clubs."

And he added: "Anything that the fans respond to has to be deemed worthy of pursuit.

Bradford star Robbie Paul
Robbie Paul helped the Bulls win the Middlesex Sevens
"It needs some consultation out there with the fans who pay to watch these events.

"If they believe it is something worth supporting then it is something we will have to look at."

Ekoku also dismissed talk of a possible merger between league and union at some point in the future.

"Both codes guard their respective competitions very strongly and cross-code initiatives can only ever be classed as gimmicky," he said.

"They are separate games and I think they will stay separate games. They are essentially different."


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