A Wigan military veteran is uniting Armed Forces personnel past and present to ‘scrum together’ and play in a rugby squad.
Founded and chaired by Stephen Hawkins, the team train and play in Wigan but membership is open to anyone who is serving or has served in the Armed Forces.
Military & Military Veterans RUFC is urgently seeking players and sponsors for their team with the aim of supporting personnel who are struggling to adjust to civilian life, especially if they suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS).
Mr Hawkins said: “I have seen at first had how damaging PTS can be through former colleagues in the armed services and I also know how important sport can be in helping that healing process.
“Playing rugby especially also gives a productive outlet to pent-up frustration and aggression.
“The transition from service life to civilian life can be difficult and especially so for those with PTS disorder.
“The rugby team allows those currently serving and former servicemen to come together and share their experiences and offer support as well as sharing their camaraderie.”
Injured during service in Northern Ireland, he went on to have a successful career in the police before retiring some years ago.
Now he wants to help and unite other servicemen on the rugby pitch.
For one team member the harrowing experience of witnessing the genocide in Bosnia was so profound he continues to receive therapy and medication from a mental health provider.
Now in his forties, this serviceman cannot forget his military past but with the help of RUFC he is starting to come to terms with his experiences and is on the road to recovery.
The team are also supporting British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) a charity that supports service personnel who have lost limbs in action.
If you would like to join the team or help with sponsorship, contact Stephen Hawkins on 07968928739 or stephenhawkins6799 (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk
Picture courtesy of Azfar Ismail via Flickr, with thanks
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