The ever-inspiring Doddie Weir launches the Dodcast, his new podcast series in association with RugbyPass
Doddie Weir’s inspiring campaign to raise awareness about motor neurone disease has an entertaining new string to its bow in 2020 – the launch of his new Dodcast podcast.
Hosted by Jill Douglas and supported by RugbyPass and Aberdeen Standard Investments, the debut episode of the Jim Hamilton-Tim Groves produced series discusses Weir’s career, his reaction to being diagnosed with MND and how he is living with the condition.
In the company of guest Kenny Logan, he also opens up about the emotion of walking on to the Murrayfield turf with his sons ahead of Scotland’s game against the All Blacks in November 2017.
Presenter Douglas said: “We are going to be doing a series of these because we thought it would be fun to share some memories, some of the great times Doddie had on the rugby field, stories about his life, his friends.
“But also just to share some of the experience since he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease which is coming up for three years since that diagnosis, Christmas 2016.”
(Continue reading below…)
RugbyPass have made something truly special with the Barbarians rugby team – the release date is Sunday, January 12
Just over three years on from the start of that difficult journey and the launch of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Weir provided listeners with an encouraging update about how he is currently coping with the disease. “It has been a bit of a journey. I have been very lucky,” he said about the challenges he faces in everyday living.
“Other patients with MND haven’t been so lucky because the average life expectancy for someone with MND is between one and three years so for me to be living three years after diagnosis, don’t know why, don’t know how. It has been been a bit of a frustrating journey in some ways but quite an unbelievable journey in a lot of other ways because the support and generosity we have received has been truly humbling.
“Sometimes I have to remember I have got MND and that is the biggest issue I have. When I go out and have a couple of beers I have got to remember that I’m not as able-bodied as I used to be so I have got to be aware and concentrating on where I am going.
Introducing the first Dodcast! A series of podcasts with Doddie and friends talking rugby, life and living with MND – candid as ever but with his trademark humourhttps://t.co/KAh1WKUNOZ
Spotify https://t.co/3Fq358TSPp— My Name'5 Doddie Foundation (@MNDoddie5) December 20, 2019
“I have just got to remember where I am. I am very fortunate that I can pretty much do everything… eating is well, speaking is well, drinking is well, still driving, still walking, still enjoying things so no complaints.”
The first podcast in the series was released in the lead-up to Christmas, with a second episode due in the coming weeks. Former Scotland international Hamilton, co-producer of the series, added: “He is interviewing doctors and people that have been affected by MND, but there is also a rugby element to it as well.
“As a player, he was a cult hero, the way that he played, his look, his personality. He is a guy that everyone loves and warms to. He is on the after-dinner circuit and he gives people so much time. That is what people love about him.
“He is going through this fight with MND. The big thing is they loved him before and what he is doing now to raise awareness with MND means they love him even more now and the respect, humility and strength of character he has shown in the face of this adversity is showcasing what he is as a human and what he is as a man.
“He has got a load of accolades recently. He was on sports personality of the year, down at Buckingham Palace. This series will be telling his story.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Word in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to comments