Mike Tindall Gets Behind “Back in the Game” Campaign
World Cup winner Mike Tindall is still strapping on his boots at 43 and playing for Minchinhampton RFC in Gloucestershire, and the England legend has been supporting an England Rugby campaign to get more players Back in the Game.
The pandemic put paid to grassroots XV-a-side rugby for some 18 months, and while much of the game has returned to normal, research suggests that social players in the men’s game haven’t returned at the same level as before covid hit. Like players of other sports, some rugby players have got out of the habit of playing for their local sides each weekend.
Ahead of a midweek training session at Minchinhampton, where he sometimes runs out for the 2nd and 3rd XVs, Mike said: “It’s important that we try to get more people back at clubs. It’s such a great game and the values are so good. You can fall into not playing after covid, because you’ve had a break and it’s then hard to re-engage. I’d say just get back out there, go and see your mates, build up gradually and throw the ball around.”
“The social aspect is why we play rugby, why we get involved in our local club, it’s the end of season tours, the midweek curries, the post-training beers, that’s what rugby is, it drives communities,” said Mike.
“The Minchinhampton clubhouse was built by the players, it’s got infectious people who run it, from the under-6s, to the colts to the first team. It takes those loyalties from people to drive it and it becomes a mini community and it’s great.
“When I retired, I came straight back here and played, and I was like, yep, this is brilliant, because growing up I was never really in grassroots rugby. I played at school and my school had a good rugby team. So I never went to any clubs, I went to watch my mates play, but I never got that involved in club rugby, so it’s been nice to be able to pitch in a bit here.
“I was very lucky to play professional rugby for 17 years. You go to work with 35 of your best mates every day. Once you leave that, it’s very hard to stay on top of all your mates that are still playing. To then be able to come into that same environment that you had is great, rugby boys are still rugby boys, it’s the same chat, the same jokes played.
“What I love about playing for Minch is the people, It’s a fantastic club, my daughter Mia comes down here on a Sunday and gets involved. There will be 300 or 400 kids there, and it’s sort of the pillar of the community.
“If you’ve had a bad week, there are people you can unload on and exercise also de-stresses. You can chat to 30 of your best mates over a beer, there will be some laughs and they’ll make you feel better about it. It’s having that shoulder to rely on, but also all the health benefits. You always get the guy who thinks he’s skilful and then throws the ball into touch, so you get humour too.”
“Alex King who’s coaching Gloucester, his lad is playing so I bump into him and find out how the game is going. I still love running around and getting stuck in every now and again, there’s always a player in the lower leagues who’s probably too good for that league, so I spend some time having fun chasing him around and try and make his life hell for the day!”
Research commissioned by The National Lottery earlier this season, showed that being part of a rugby club has significant mental health and social benefits. 75% of club rugby players said that not being able to properly participate in club rugby had a negative effect on their state of mind, while 58% said what they missed most when not playing regularly was the team environment and camaraderie.
Mike Tindall has this message for players who aren’t playing as regularly as they used to: “Just get back on the pitch, back in your clubhouse and back in your community. The love of the game will come back because of the people you’re spending time with, and you’ll be back playing before you know it.”
To find your nearest rugby club and ‘Get Back In The Game’ visit findrugby.com or use our “Find a Rugby Club” map
Lightweight!
Had my first game of rugby as a 64year old 5/3/2022. No age restrictions when I started. So, I sttarted senior rugby at 14. Travelled around a few clubs. Some people call me a rugby whore but most don’t bother with the rugby bit. 49 seasons, so I’ve got to play next season. Half century.
Reffed one match. I was awful. Job means I can’t commit to coaching so my way of giving back is to keep playing. Make sure Chippenham 3s (or lasts) get a team together. Game for us and the opposition. Not as spritely as I was at 14 but now better looking.