RUGBY fans are being asked to share their favourite memories of the game as part of a pioneering link-up with a dementia project.
The “Rugby Memories” match between Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls takes place on March 3 at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.
It is the first Super League game to raise awareness of dementia by the Sporting Memories Network, an organisation that uses sports reminiscence to spark the interests of people with the condition.
The Network is collecting memories from all sports to use in its work, which involves sessions at care homes throughout Leeds.
In the run-up to the match and on the day, supporters are being asked to go online and write about what they remember.
Former player for both teams Robbie Hunter-Paul, now the Giants’ business development manager, has already written about playing in Challenge Cup finals.
“Nothing compares to the rush you get when you step over the threshold between the changing room tunnel and into the light of the stadium,” he said.
“All at once 80,000 supporters see you and scream, that energy tumbles off the terraces and slams into you at a million miles an hour.”
Ian Black, chairman of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust which provides mental health care, said: “Dementia affects the memory, so sharing good memories of a sport which means so much to many people is a thoughtful and uplifting way to address a vitally important issue.
“I hope that fans will get behind the campaign for rugby memories and help to make it a success.”
The website is at http://rugby.sportingmemories.org.
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