Yeovil Rugby Club

Last weekend some of the players, coaches and partners from Yeovil Women’s Rugby team took part in a mammoth challenge to raise money for both Yeovil Bereavement support team and the charity Sands. Setting them a target Aiming to complete 2900 burpees, which represents the 2900 babies who are stillborn each year, the team collectively, completed 5000 burpees and raised over £1000  for these incredible causes.

 The women’s team, who are avid supporters of the charity have not been able to train together since before Christmas but have kept up the team spirit and morale with a variety of fitness based challenges  via zoom and other online platforms to get themselves through the current lockdown, providing much needed support for each other. The idea of setting a challenge not just for themselves but to benefit a charity was something the women were keen to embrace and support, be it as a committed part of the burpee team or by donating through the women’s just giving page. The support and encouragement within the team was phenomenal with several players and their partners committing pledges of 100 and 200 burpees on the day, and as information spread on the challenge the team were further supported by pledges from local connections and people. One such example was from player and paramedic Louise Crawford-Clark and her pt Clar Pengilly of fundamental fitness. Louise who has been having online coaching sessions with Clar during lockdown was fully supported by her pt who in turn made a pledge of 500 burpees which would be completed on the day during her pt classes with her other clients.

So how would this challenge then look and work with restrictions still in place and the logistics meaning the team wouldn’t be able to get together as a team to complete the challenge. To count for the challenge burpees had to be done on Saturday 6^th March and those that had committed to pledge a number of burpees were able to access the live video call which was set up and in turn was recorded and streamed live on their social media platform creating an event feel to the challenge the option to record your efforts and send them in for posting to social media was also available to those taking part.

Starting the challenge off and first to complete his pledge was early morning enthusiast and women’s team coach Fran Long, who had sent a video of himself doing 200 burpees to add into the collective count before most people had even opened their eyes. From 10am the women then live streamed the challenge and kept up the good work with members being able to join in and drop out as required. Amongst those pledging and completing burpees included Yeovil women’s number 9 Amy Petrie, who also coaches the clubs under 10s team together with partner Danny Young added another 200. Many of the team had full support from partners and family with some of them also joining in, including husband and wife duo Katie Switzer and James Switzer taking part together and Team Captain Bea Chubb being joined by husband and women’s team coach Simon Chubb and there children doing putting in an astonishing effort. Hitting the highest pledges with over 300 burpees was that of Katie Switzer, Bea Chubb and Sophie Wiseman.

(Player Rachel White and her partner Mark seen here completing their pledge for the burpees challenge)

The day was a resounding success not just with the amount raised and the target and subsequent final number of burpees being completed but by the show of support and effort the team makes towards each other in all the challenges they set. Players relished this challenge for an amazing cause that sadly affects so many people. The aim to not just raise money but also awareness and encourage people to reach out and talk about baby loss.

Regional bereavement lead midwife - Lucy Blackmore quote - ‘Families sadly meet our bereavement team midwives  at often the hardest time in their lives and we want to do everything possible to support families to make memories with their baby. We also launched the rainbow team last year to provide extra support to families during subsequent pregnancies following a loss. The kindness and generosity of amazing fundraising efforts like this will allow us to develop further support materials, enhance our existing facilities, deliver training and allow SANDS to invest in research to save little lives. All of these will make such a difference to these families. Thank you to all those who have donated and well done to Yeovil Rugby Women in this incredible challenge.’

(Smiles all round as the challenge is streamed live on social media)

Now looking forward to the return to training at the end of the month this challenge came Just in time and was a great way to be together as a team hopefully for the last time virtually.

Yeovil Rugby Women’s team usually train every Tuesday and Thursday during rugby season. Training is due to restart March 30^th and we are always open to  welcoming new players, so if you’re a women aged 18+are looking to get back into rugby or have no rugby experience at all but , are looking to get fit and have fun we would love to hear from you.

(Coach Fran Long enjoying a well deserved Guiness after his pledge of 200 burpees)