A one-man rugby tour for men’s mental health
A rugby player from Northampton is embarking on a one-man rugby tour to raise funds for a local men’s mental health charity.
Jake Doyle is shining a light on the welcoming nature of community rugby by visiting and playing for different clubs throughout this season, all while raising awareness and funds for mental health charity, Man Cave UK.
Jake’s challenge is to play for a different club each week until the end of the season.
He said: "Every club I’ve been to so far has been extremely accommodating and it highlights how amazing the rugby community is.
“It’s all about turning up and having a bit of fun but also talking about mental health while I’m there.”
Having played throughout Northamptonshire and East Midlands since the age of 14, Jake has “played against pretty much every team in the area” and has reached out to connections and friendships he has built along the way.
“I’ve been reaching out to people, explaining what I’m doing, and asking if I can come down on a Saturday and pull their kit on for 20 minutes.”
So far through the fundraiser he has joined sides including Daventry RFC, Northampton's Men’s Own RFC, and Towcestrians RFC.
“It’s been a real highlight – how accommodating and willing to get behind the tour every club has been. I turn up, meet the team, talk about why the mental health charity I’m raising money for, then it’s into the warm-up and straight into the game".
Through his tour, Jake is raising funds for Man Cave UK, a charity he volunteers for. The charity has support groups in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford, that provide non-judgemental spaces for men to attend and talk about mental health.
Jake added: “Man Cave UK aims to break the stigma around men’s mental health and I want to raise awareness particularly in the rugby community. It’s more than just a game – there are so many people who will help if they know someone is struggling.”
Jake is keen to play for clubs in the Northamptonshire and East Midlands area and has set up a JustGiving page for the charity.
