Shropshire tries for place on global sporting map
Shropshire is about to take its place on the world sporting map as fans of rugby gather at Shrewsbury Castle to take part in an ambitious social media event to celebrate the game’s 200th anniversary.
Rugby players of all ages will be taking part in the ‘Global Pass’, which will see a ‘virtual’ ball passed around the globe, and Shropshire will be represented by a squad of all ages for the event, supported by the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum at Shrewsbury Castle on Friday 17 February 2023 at 10.30am.
The Global Pass has been organised by Rugby School, where in 1823 a schoolboy named William Webb Ellis, during a football match at the school, took the ball in his arms and ran with it. This act, followed by a succession of events, resulted in this version of the game of football being renamed ‘rugby football’, now a global game played by millions.
The limited-edition Gilbert ball will be passed along a line of past and present players. It is very much hoped that 93- year-old Major Monty Robinson, who played with the Army and who had strong connections with Welshpool RFC, will start the passing.
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Sawers, in his role as a Rugbeian and a retired Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire, said:-
“It’s an honour to represent Shropshire in this event and the backdrop of Shrewsbury Castle is perfect.
“Shropshire Council and the team at the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum have been so helpful in allowing us to take over for the morning.”
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader, said:-
“I am delighted Shrewsbury Castle and the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum were able to support this event and it is fantastic to mark 200 years since rugby was ‘invented’.
“The value of team sports of all kinds cannot be underestimated for people’s mental and physical wellbeing. The fact that this a global event shows there is a rugby family that spreads around the world.”
Ian Sawers added that the limited edition ball, which is just one of 200 made for the Global Pass, will be auctioned on the day to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Motor Neurone Charity.
Doddie Weir OBE, who died in November 2022, was one of rugby union’s most recognisable personalities. He earned 61 caps for Scotland during a successful playing career, represented the British and Irish Lions on their successful tour to South Africa in 1997, and won championships with his two club sides, Melrose and Newcastle Falcons.
A talented, committed and athletic lock forward, Doddie then faced his biggest challenge. In June 2017 the Scot revealed he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. From the outset, Doddie was driven to help fellow sufferers and seek ways to further research into this, as yet, incurable disease.
