Young Rugby Lions ‘scrum down’ for Fun Run Challenge
After entering a team in the Great Midlands Fun Run for the first time last year, the Lichfield Rugby Club U15 squad are gearing themselves up to enter an even larger team for their second assault on the 8.5 event, on 1 June.
Last year the squad, then competing at U14 level, entered a team in the Great Midlands Fun Run and raised £2000.
The team is touring Toronto, Canada in the summer of 2009 and the club needs to raise substantial funds to ensure they take a full squad.
Gary Lote, who helps to run the squad explained: “The club is very ambitious. By taking the lads on a once in a lifetime tour to Canada, not only do they experience playing rugby on a different continent; they also get to witness a different lifestyle and culture which helps with their personal development.
“The Fun Run is also helping to instil a sense of ‘self support’, in that the lads need to help with raising the money to ensure the tour goes ahead and not simply rely on parents digging deep into their pockets.
“We want to ensure that no-one misses out, so the club embarked on a major fund-raising initiative last year, kicking-off with the 2007 Great Midlands Fun Run.
“The lads and their families really enjoyed the day and realised that it was a great opportunity to mix outside of the rugby environment and help to raise money for some of the families who would not be able to send their son on tour.”
Fun Run Event Director, Tracey Spare said: “I know the club was delighted with the amount of money the U15 squad raised last year and they’re now encouraging players and their families from all age categories to enter the Fun Run and help raise funds for the club.
“The club provides a fabulous opportunity for young lads and girls from Lichfield and surrounding districts to develop their rugby and interpersonal skills. Not only are they developing their rugby talent but they are learning a sense of respect and discipline on and off the pitch thanks to a ‘small army’ of volunteers.”
