Finchley RFC and the Commons and Lords RUFC joined forces at the Allianz Stadium recently to raise £15,000 for the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF).
The IPF is England Rugby’s charity which supports players at any level of the game who have sustained a life-changing injury whilst playing rugby union.
Finchley RFC, celebrating their centenary season, were the perfect opposition for the Commons and Lords’ annual IPF fundraiser. The two sides have a relationship dating back to the first charity match in 2006 when the Commons and Lords took on a visiting New Zealand Parliament side, a game in which several Finchley stalwarts starred.
The day at England HQ began with a number of firsts, with the Commons and Lords’ women’s team making their debut at the Allianz Stadium, playing against a Finchley women’s team.
They were joined by a stellar cast of guest players including former Wales captain Melissa Berry, former Scottish international and current Scotland coach Karen Findlay and former Red Roses’ Alex Pilkington, Jane Coats, Jenny Watkinson and Clare Purdy.
In addition to these international players, the Commons and Lords managed to convince Deborah Griffin OBE, Rugby Hall of Fame and RFU Senior Vice President, to have a run out, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Among the array of internationals was Rugby World Cup winner and former England captain Gill Burns MBE, who was able to fulfil her long-time ambition of playing at the national stadium.
“I was honoured to be invited by the Commons and Lords’ team to play on the hallowed turf,” said Burns. “I’ve never had the opportunity to play for England here because women weren't allowed to when I was playing. I was lucky enough to referee and coach here but never played. Today I realised that ambition. It was like a dream come true for me.”
Commons and Lords’ RUFC Chair - former Wales international Tonia Antoniazzi MP – who was responsible for organising the impressive turn-out, said:
“We were honoured to be able to field both a women's team and a men’s team to play Finchley in their 100th anniversary season and it has been an amazing day.
“It was a great opportunity to get a group of women together, not just parliamentarians, to run out at the Allianz Stadium. It was a privilege to be accompanied by former rugby internationals like Gill Burns, who I used to play with at Waterloo, and against when I played for Wales, and it was fantastic to introduce more people to rugby who haven't played before.
“I love how much of a team game rugby is. I think it's really empowering, it builds resilience in young girls and women. As with everything, you believe you can be it if you can see it. Everything about rugby is empowering and I think that everybody should play it at some level whether it's touch rugby, T1 rugby, full contact, walking rugby – it’s brilliant to be involved and to be part of a sport that’s a big family.”
This family connection was felt powerfully during the men’s Vets game that followed, as both sides shared in a minute’s silence in honour of Finchley’s much-loved former player, coach and Director of Rugby James Clarke, whose life was tragically cut short last year.
Paying tribute to James, Finchley Hawks captain, Séan Linden said: “James was a great guy. He played all his youth and senior rugby at Finchley and went on to coach our first team. He became our Director of Rugby and then went on to be Bermuda’s Director of Rugby.
“Unfortunately, he lost his life which is a massive loss to the club. Finchley is such a strong family club and James was a mentor and friend to so many of us. He was a cornerstone of the club. We are all thinking of James and his family today.
“It also means a lot to us as a club to be here raising money for the Injured Players Foundation which epitomises the rugby family. We've had guys who have had serious injuries, so we appreciate how important the IPF is. They do amazing work and it’s an absolute pleasure to fundraise for them today.”
Commons and Lords RUFC captain Lord Dominic Addington echoed Linden’s endorsement of the charity, saying: “If there's a better one out there, I haven't heard of it. It’s incredibly important we come together to support injured players.”
IPF support for players who have sustained a catastrophic injury is wide-ranging, and includes immediate support in hospital,ensuring access to the most appropriate medical care, as well as long-term emotional, practical and financial assistance. Support is available to players and their families for life if needed. The charity also funds vital research to improve injury management and to reduce the risk of injury in rugby.
“Thankfully, there aren't that many catastrophic injuries in rugby,” continued Lord Addington, “but when something does go wrong, we should be there to do what we can to provide support both as a local community and for the structural support outside of that.”
Tonia Antoniazzi MP added: “I’m really proud of the money being raised for the IPF. I've just been talking about resilience in team sport and supporting each other. Whatever shirt you wear, whether you’re playing or injured, you are still part of that rugby family, and we are all here to support each other.”
On an afternoon fuelled by emotion and a desire to produce a fitting performance for their former DoR, Finchley Hawks roared into a 12-0 lead through a Barbarians-esque approach.
C&L RUFC rallied as ‘fresher legs’ entered the field of play to mount a comeback, before Finchley’s class shone through to see the North Londoners run out comfortable winners.
With the focus of the day promoting the values of rugby and supporting the wider rugby family, the rumoured 43-17 final scoreline was a mere postscript.
“The referee wasn’t actually keeping score, so I think we won,” joked Linden. “It was genuinely a brilliant day. It's such a beautiful ground and the pitch is immaculate, it was like playing in someone's living room. I don't think any of the boys have ever taken so many photos! They’re ecstatic.”
Lord Addington was swift to acknowledge Finchley’s class but was also proud of his team’s efforts, saying: “It was nip and tuck, at times, but Finchley deserved the win. We had a front row with a combined age of 193 for the first quarter. We did come back well, but maybe because we didn’t have the same front row on for the second quarter!”
Gill Burns seemed equally relaxed about the result of her game saying: “I really don't know who won! It was the sort of game where scores were made at both ends of the pitch, so rugby was the winner today.”
Carl Elliott, Finchley’s President, was equally impressed with the spirit and enjoyment of all the players and spectators throughout the day saying: “We have been working hard this season on a “one Club” approach to ensure that everyone at Finchley is involved as much as possible and enjoy their time at the Club. Today was a major step forward for us in that ambition.”
