Rugby: Charity match at Oundle raises £1200

A charity rugby match played in memory of a former Oundle School pupil raised over £1,000.

For six years now, girls from Oundle School’s Sixth Form have joined together to play a game of rugby in memory of Thommy Purbrook and to raise money for The Thommy Purbrook General Scholarship Endowment Fund.

This year’s match took place last week and so far has already raised around £1,200. 

Thommy’s career at Oundle was tragically cut short when she died from meningitis while on a school trip to St Petersburg in December 2008. A scholarship fund was established by Thommy’s parents, Clive and Belinda, with the intention of it being awarded to a child who, like Thommy, would take full advantage of the academic and extra-curricular opportunities that Oundle can offer.

The first recipient is now at the school, in Thommy’s old House, Sanderson.

Thommy’s time at Oundle was marked by her enthusiasm, energy and determination and one of her many talents was rugby – she was captain of the girls’ rugby team.

For this year’s match, the 1st XV captain Kirsty Ross-Stewart (17) and Emma Morse (18), a member of the girls 1st XV rugby squad, organised a team each.

Kirsty said: “We had coaches from both the 1st and 2nd XV boys’ squads, who taught all the girls who hadn’t played before. Their input in training and during the match helped create a game in which girls demonstrated a lot of talent given some had only had a few weeks training.”

The kit is always inventive and exciting, having been designed by the teams.

The funds raised (currently estimated at £1,200) both on the day of the match and previously on an online donation page will as always go towards The Thommy Purbrook General Scholarship Endowment Fund.

The end result of the match was 10-5 to a team made up of Kirkeby, Sanderson and Laxton house girls and they proudly received The Thommy Purbrook Plate from Mr and Mrs Purbrook.

Emma said: “Both teams put in a great performance and the atmosphere was fantastic. The help of the coaches and teachers helped us put the whole event together and it wouldn’t have been a success without them. So far we have raised over £1,200 and hope to continue to raise more. Thank-you to everyone who came to watch in the cold and donated and helped us out.”

Rugby coach Ian Clark commented: “The match was a tribute to the commitment of the girls, with some huge tackles and dogged defence. Both sides performed admirably, and thanks to the organisers and competitors for carrying on this important tradition.”

Thommy’s father Clive Purbrook, said: “As ever, it was a wonderful day both on and off the pitch, and the amount of money raised for Thommy’s fund is fantastic. Belinda, Barney and myself are all very touched that the match played by the girls in Thommy’s memory has become so firmly entrenched in the school’s calendar, and is approached by the girls and everybody else who plays a part with such a fantastic spirit.

“The quality of the rugby on display was also a testament to the girls’ talents.”

Headmaster Charles Bush added: “This occasion is always a wonderful festival of girls’ rugby at Oundle, played in a carnival atmosphere, raising a huge amount for a very important charity. It also celebrates the excellent state of girls’ rugby at Oundle which is so strong partly as a result of Thommy’s massive contribution to the growth of the game. “

If you would like to make a donation you can do this online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=oundlegirlscharitymatch14isTeam=true

Article source: http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/rugby-union/brian-odriscoll-serenaded-irish-rugby-3231329

Rugby: Charity match at Oundle raises £1200