Six brothers make rugby history
Cast your eyes down Crawley’s team sheet against Seaford earlier this season and you’d be forgiven for thinking there had been an error.
As well as the logistical difficulties of gathering all six brothers, including one who lives in the USA, the task of organising the occasion was made even more difficult by the fact they had to keep it a secret from their mum, Di.
A family surpise
“We have been trying for years and years to make this happen but it had never fallen into place,” explains Dan.
“Our mum has been involved with the club for over 20 years and still works in the canteen.
“She is going through cancer treatment at the moment and we knew getting us all together to play for the first time would mean a lot to her so we planned the suprise."
The plan involved Kyp visiting from the USA where he now lives, and the Rees brothers had to keep his visit a secret for months.
“I think it was the longest secret in Rees family history,” says Dan.
Crawley ‘ThRees’
Everything came together for the Rees’ and the six brothers were watched on by their four sisters as well as Di and her thirteen grandchildren.
Not only did the brothers score four of Crawley’s tries but, with the opposition short of numbers, five of the brothers then switched sides to help Seaford in the second half.
With Ben standing at six foot seven and his younger brothers not much smaller, the six Rees’ were hard to miss.
“It was brilliant to be able to do it,” says Ben. “We were so excited in the build up to it and Mum was unbelievably proud.”
The rugby family
“Our dad got us into rugby as kids and we all played. The most successful was probably Ruth who played for south of England and still runs out for St Francies Ladies,” says Ben, who now lives in Liverpool.
“We’ve all grown up at that club. Every weekend as a kid I was at Crawley Rugby club, it has been a huge part of our lives.
“It is the place our family goes back to when we meet up - maybe because the clubhouse is the only place big enough for all of us!”
It was certainly a day to remember for the Rees family, for whom rugby is in the blood.
