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Robin Heymann

When it comes to charity, rugby really does itself some justice sometimes.

Rugby sevens gurus in the UK will probably have come across the Wooden Spoon before. Seen at various established events, with both men and women’s teams, that are often littered with top tier talent. They ironically belie their name with often outstanding results.

Who can forget the impact their women made on the 2010 UK summer circuit? Three times they were victorious at National Sevens Series events (RugbyRocks, West Country, Newquay) with their England all-stars all on show on Sky Sports.

The men are regularly seen at events likes the Sunshine Sevens, Kinsale and Amsterdam often reaching the latter stages.

With chillingly cold temperatures and snow descending upon the UK, three ‘Spoon’ teams have jetted out to Dubai this week for the holy grail of ‘sun n sevens’.

But some might not know what Wooden Spoon are actually all about?

In the UK, one child in every hundred suffers from a lifelong disability that will severely affect his or her ability to lead a full and happy life.

More than 3.5 million young people grow up in low income households or live in an environment where they are subjected to poverty of aspiration. Wooden Spoon utilise rugby, and specifically sevens and tens, to attempt to change these children’s lives.

Partnered with the UK rugby community, over half a million young people have benefitted from more than £15 million pounds of Wooden Spoon’s charitable support over the last 25 years.

Spoon Rugby was officially launched in 2007 with six teams regularly playing to increases the profile of Wooden Spoon and ensures they can continue to have a positive impact on helping disadvantaged children. 

Dubai line-up?

So who will we be seeing in Dubai? Anyone lining up in the Vets better not think this is a relaxed run out with some mates when they play the Spoon. The inclusion of Fereti ‘Freddy’ Tuilagi will see to that as he laces up the boots again for the Wooden Spoon Legends in the Tens competition.

A big part of the Wooden Spoon message is to involve players from all four unions with the Women’s team this week all containing international pedigree from England, Scotland and Wales – with a French representative also in the mix. Last year’s runners up are bolstered by the experience of Katy McLean, Francesca Matthews and Joanne O’Sullivan. Other teams to watch out for will be France (last year’s winners) a Samurai team and Brazil, hosts of course of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The men’s team take up their place in the International Open division with Spoon stalwarts like Paul Finch, Paul Dunckley, Lee Rust and New Zealander Chad Shepherd all involved. London Wasps and England Under back Chris Elder will inject some youthful enterprise with Irish international Max Rantz-Macdonald another wise sevens brain. 

‘We are massively excited. We’ve been out there last couple of years and we have got a good squad coming together,” enthuses Lee Rust, who plays his domestic rugby with London Scottish.

“Everyone has constantly been on the texts and emails looking forward to it. For the UK guys the timing is perfect, getting away from the miserable weather always help! It’s a special buzz and the atmosphere around the place is second to none.”

But Rust is quick to point out that everyone representing the Spoon this week understand the ultimate point of the exercise.

“Yeah everyone that plays, the girls, the boys and the Vets, are all doing for the charity and that is ultimately why we are out playing. Both on and off the pitch that’s what we’re there for – to raise awareness.”

The teams this year will be sponsored by TNT who have been supporting Wooden Spoon since 1997, this year they have made their largest ever donation to the charity, £305,137 raised by TNT staff across the country.
In acknowledgement of this incredible achievement and as a thank you to the company for all their fundraising efforts and continued support, Wooden Spoon will proudly wear the TNT logo on their playing shirts.

The latest evolution of the charity has seen it now support Community Rugby projects. Spoon Community Rugby is series of charitable projects designed to give disadvantaged children around the UK a better chance in life by playing rugby.

“We believe that Rugby gives kids of all shapes and sizes a valuable role in the team, enhancing their health and self-confidence,” says Clare Howatson, Development Director within the Marketing & Communications team at the charity.

“It is particularly important for some of the most disenfranchised young people in our society who are in desperate need of guidance and physical release.

“By playing a sport that not only channels their energy into healthy activity but also teaches them teamwork, discipline and respect, we believe that these young people can change their lives for the better,” added Howatson.

Links with Barclays Spaces for Sport on the Fair Play Scheme and the Metropolitan Police on the HITZ Project again shows the dedication and the ever-increasing reputation the charity is growing.

From a personal perspective often in an environment of egos and Flashy Dans, I’ve always found the Wooden Spoon sides courteous, affable and a bunch who play the game with the right attitude.

A worthy fixture on the circuit that play for one of the worthiest of causes. Get supporting WOODEN SPOON by CLICKING HERE.