Phil Vickery backs RFU Play Together Stay Together campaign
Former England captain and Rugby World Cup winner Phil Vickery has encouraged rugby players to remember what playing in a rugby team is about, as part of the RFU’s Play Together, Stay Together campaign.
The campaign aims to remind players who’ve drifted away from the game, or aren’t playing as often as they used to, of all the benefits that come with playing rugby. Whether it’s the physical or mental health benefits, or the fun and sense of belonging that come with being part of a community, there’s always a reason to head down to a local club, regardless of whether you’re new to game or returning after a break.
Speaking during the Autumn Nations Series, Phil Vickery said: “The idea behind Play Together Stay Together is basically the reason why I started playing rugby. I went to my local rugby club, fell in love with rugby, the relationships, the mates, the camaraderie, families coming together.
“Being part of a rugby club is so important and ultimately the reason I fell in love with the game. Yes, I went on to win the World Cup, but ultimately it all came from the grassroots, from that moment when I got welcomed to a rugby club for no other reason than wanting to be a part of something.
“When I went down to my local club in Bude, North Cornwall, I didn’t go down with the ambition to go on to do all the things I did; I went because I felt valued, loved, and it gave me a sense of purpose when I was a big kid. I wanted to represent my local town and the friendships and people I got to know through that.”
Vickery also took the opportunity to talk to fans at Twickenham before the game against Japan, sharing experiences of being involved with a rugby team and encouraging those who didn’t already have links to their local club to head down to see what’s on offer.
Vickery was also part of the RFU’s Play Together Stay Together match, in collaboration with The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, at Aylesbury RFC. The game, which finished in a 36-36 draw, used the RFU’s Game On principles that allow games to go ahead even if teams don’t have the full 15. Flexible options around lineouts, scrums, match duration and rolling subs put the emphasis firmly on enabling players to play, as long as teams have a minimum of 10 players.
Speaking about the game Vickery said: “It was great to play with guys who had played with different clubs and built the most amazing friendships and to hear their stories. Ultimately that’s what rugby is about.
“The lovely thing about this initiative from the RFU is that you don’t have to have a full team. We played 13 a-side and changed the rules with no pushing in the scrum and not lifting at the lineout, but the point is we still facilitated the game and rugby clubs can still get the benefits and the community can come together. There was a lad on our team who was 64, playing alongside him was amazing.
“We must keep as many games happening as we can, it’s not just about the sport either, it’s also exercise, wellbeing and mental health.
“99% of rugby is about amateur sport and volunteers. It’s about giving time and energy to our local communities. A rugby club is not just about playing rugby, it’s about mums, kids, meetings, coffee mornings, clubs, dance classes hosted at the clubhouse. I, along with a lot of other people, want to give back and promote our game. We all need to keep looking at our game and keep driving it forward.”
