Mersea U12s Take Rugby Round the Island
Mersea Island in Essex is regularly cut off from the mainland at high tide and, while the Island rugby club’s U12s are used to that, they couldn’t get used to being cut off from their rugby and friends during lockdown two.
To keep team spirit alive and fitness levels up, the coaches decided to set a challenge that would also give something back to the local community. Steve Daniels and the coaching team asked the squad to successfully pass a rugby ball with a member of their household more than 220 times each to cover the 21km distance around Mersea Island. Each player also had to complete 4,250 step-ups to virtually climb to the top of Mount Everest. With rugby balls provided, and sponsor money rolling in, every squad member set off.
Steve said: “Sport is a crucial part of the wellbeing of our young players and their families and giving each player a target to complete as a team helped their fitness levels, while the passing saw them practise their handling skills for getting back to training and playing again. By linking the distance around the Island, every time the children cross the Strood to the mainland in future they can look back on their achievement.
“They also know that by supporting local charity Porch Pantry they can make a difference close to home and help others who need it more than ever during the pandemic.”
Having raised over £1,000, some of the squad made a socially distanced delivery to their local church porch and said Emma Cornwell: “The Porch Pantry has been running for just over two years. It is heart-breaking to know that so many people are struggling but, at the same time, heart-warming to see our community pull together. Mersea residents’ generosity and support never cease to amaze me, particularly during such challenging times.
“We’ve received some incredible food and financial donations from the community and Island businesses and the initiative launched by Mersea Rugby Club’s U12s has made a big difference just before Christmas. Leaving items in the actual porch of the church creates anonymity and hopefully reduces any embarrassment. No-one really knows if someone is donating or collecting food and the church porch is open in daylight hours seven days a week.”
