Premiership players ring supporters in isolation as part of initiative led by Wasps Rugby
Wasps Rugby are leading a campaign which sees Premiership Rugby clubs ring supporters in an effort to keep fans connected and motivated during the Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.
Coventry based Wasps Rugby devised the #MakeThatCall campaign, which launched this week, with the aim of supporting their fans during the Covid-19 crisis.
From NHS workers, to other critical key works, and vulnerable people including the elderly, #MakeThatCall encourages people to connect. On Sunday, Jimmy Gopperth called life-long Wasps supporter, Peter Keith to wish him a happy 85th birthday.
Peter’s daughter, Alex had heard about the #MakeThatCall campaign and not being able to celebrate his 85th birthday due to self-isolating rules, she wanted to make his day feel special. She said: “It’s a really tough time for everyone at the moment and
just to hear a friendly voice is so important.
Jimmy Gopperth spoke to life long supporter, Peter, who turned 85 today! Happy Birthday from the whole #waspsfamily
Remember to check in on your friends and neighbours #makethatcall 📞 https://t.co/pcNfxb94w2
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) March 29, 2020
“When I heard about the campaign, I wanted to do something nice for my Dad who has supported Wasps all his life. My love of rugby is inspired by my father. I think it’s great what Premiership Rugby teams across the country are doing, and to remind us
all that we can do our bit too by simply picking up the phone or texting someone to make them feel connected at such an uncertain time. Dad was over the moon to speak to Jimmy.”
Exeter-based Peter was delighted when he picked up the phone and spoke to Jimmy. He said: “I went to my first Wasps game when I was 11 and to receive a call like this really made my day.”
Gopperth said: “Peter has supported Wasps for more than 70 years – to be able to give something back to him just with a simple call really brought home to me the power of such a gesture that we take for granted. So please do pick up the phone and #MakeThatCall to someone you think would appreciate it. That is what this club is all about.”
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Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby are among Premiership Rugby clubs to join the #MakeThatCall campaign, as coronavirus grips the world and the UK is self-isolating. Led by Wasps, the Premiership clubs wanted to help ease the pain that isolation can cause and encourage everyone to #MakeThatCall to their elderly relatives, friends and neighbours as well as to people who are doing all they can to help contribute to the national fight against the virus.
Premiership Rugby CEO, Darren Childs, endorsed #MakeThatCall: “I’m so proud of this campaign from Premiership Rugby’s players and clubs who support their communities right across the country. The past weeks have been tough for us all, but making these calls to our supporters, and hearing these heart-warming stories have kept us all going. We can all make a difference to someone, and we hope to support many more people over the coming weeks with this campaign.”
The campaign encourages people to spread the word by using social media to post the calls you make using #MakeThatCall and nominate someone else to do the same.
Watch: Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle and Chairman Paul McLean
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments