The rugby family came together at Birmingham Moseley this week in support of the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) and the players it represents.

Every level of the rugby community was represented, from club colts to British and Irish Lions, and it was fabulous to see members from so many local referee societies and clubs in attendance, including Bournville, Camp Hill, Silhillians, Solihull, Stourbridge and Sutton Coldfield. 

Birmingham Moseley’s impressive Reddings Suite provided the perfect setting to learn more about the IPF and to hear from the charity’s special guests.

After an introduction to the Injured Players Foundation from the IPF’s Director, Dr Karen Hood, alongside member Ben Smoldon and Welfare Officer John Burgess, IPF Patron Sir Bill Beaumont and England Rugby star Fin Smith took to the stage for a Q&A. 

Fin is part of the ‘IPF Support Squad’ which also includes ITV and TNT commentator Nick Mullins who was MC for the night.

Guests had plenty of chance to put their questions to the panel, with insightful and entertaining answers for all to enjoy. Even generations apart, the bond between Lions players shone through as Sir Bill and Fin shared their tour memories.

The night also featured two impromptu highlights, as Fin surprised Birmingham Moseley U14s for a photo during their training session, and was later asked to give the audience a demo for how to strike the perfect spiral bomb. All guests left having learned something from the evening!

After the event, Karen Hood said: “It’s been a fantastic night. Our thanks go to Birmingham Moseley for looking after us all so well. 

“We’ve had such a good turnout, so many good questions and loads of interest in what the Injured Players Foundation does for the rugby family. Events like these are effective and enjoyable ways to spread the word about the IPF, so more people know we're here to help if they ever need us. 

“It’s been brilliant to have our patron Sir Bill Beaumont with us tonight. He is such a strong supporter of the IPF and to have him here underlines how important it is to the whole world of rugby. 

“Also having Fin Smith involved as a current England player is fantastic. His star power and Midlands’ connection have understandably attracted a high level of interest which has helped us to engage more people from the area in the work of the charity.” 

Nick Mullins added: “To have Fin here, three days off the back of England’s last match shows his commitment to the IPF, as well as the kind of guy he is.

“It’s been a lot of fun tonight. Everyone’s learned more about the incredible support system provided by the IPF, and we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful stories from Sir Bill and Fin, ranging from similar Lions’ experiences to far from similar Tik Tok experiences! 

IPF member Ben Smoldon said: “It’s been great to see so many people here to understand more about the charity and how it enriches people's lives, physically, mentally and emotionally.

“As a member, I know the IPF is always there for me and my family. It’s like an arm around our shoulder whenever we need it.

“We all loved listening to the legend that is Sir Bill Beaumont, and to one of England’s brightest talents in Fin Smith. Fin is really invested in the charity, and it was lovely to see him stay on after the Q&A to talk to so many kids and to have photos. It shows how special the sport is.”

Speaking about why he was so keen to support the Injured Players Foundation, Fin explained: “I met a few of the IPF members earlier this year when they came down to watch England training. It really hit a chord with me that they love the game as much as I do and I’m in a super fortunate position where I get to play it as a job. Being able to support players right the way through the rugby community means a lot to me. 

“We all enjoy playing, we all enjoy celebrating together, so we should be there to support each other through the bad times together too.

“It’s such a good sport, but there is the very slim chance that a serious injury could happen, and I’d hate for those people to feel like they were left in the dark or having to fight alone.  

“That’s why the IPF is so important because the charity is there to support players from any level of the game in this country who have sustained a life-changing injury on a rugby pitch. That support can continue for the player and their family for life if needed. It really can help turn a person’s life around as we heard first-hand from Ben tonight.

“I knew the IPF provided a great support network and arranged events and activities for injured players, but it was a real eye-opener to hear the extent of support the charity can provide, from additional rehab to specialist equipment like accessible vehicles, to house adaptations or support returning to work.”

Sir Bill Beaumont added: “The range of support the IPF provides is mind blowing. It can make such a difference to people’s lives. If you could bottle some of the inspiration it gives people and pass it round, it would enhance everyone’s lives. I’d encourage anyone in the rugby family to find out more about the charity and to support it if they can.

 “Seeing so many people here tonight shows how much people care about the Foundation and about rugby. 

“Listening to our IPF member Ben speak so eloquently on stage about how much he still loves the game despite his injury, and how much of an affinity he still has to the game, was fantastic to hear.  

“We obviously hope similar injuries won’t happen so people don’t ever need us, but it’s important for the rugby community to know we are here if they do.”

Perhaps Nick Mullins summed it up best, as a broadcaster probably should, when he said: “One of the many wonderful things about the rugby community is that we put our arms around each other when someone needs a hug and that’s what the IPF does better than anyone else.”

On behalf of everyone connected to the IPF, we would like to thank Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club for hosting the event, our special guests Fin, Sir Bill and Nick for volunteering their time and our IPF members and trustees for their support on the evening. 

Most importantly, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more about the IPF and to enjoy an evening together talking about the game we all love. Thanks to your generosity, over £900 was raised for the IPF on the night.

For anyone who would like to make a donation to the IPF, please CLICK HERE