Old Crocs U18s Girls rise to Trans-Siberian Challenge
OLD CROSSLEYANS RUFC Under-18s Girls maintained their mental and physical help with a tough Trans-Siberian Extreme Challenge during the lockdown, also raising much-needed funds for charity.
Old Crocs is a local rugby club for local girls and women, the largest of its type in Calderdale with over 110 active members representing club, county and country
Coach John Theodoulou said: “The Under-18s coaches, players and parents wanted to do something to help keep themselves physically and mentally healthy and help raise much needed funds for the section and ‘Mind’.
“Due to covid all rugby activity was suspended and this had a huge impact on the physical heath but more importantly the mental health of all members.
“As a group of coaches we wanted to make sure our players were not forgotten and make sure they were looking after themselves, keeping their physical health in peak condition as it would be during a normal season but as well as that we found after talking to some of the players that they have found the lockdown mentally tough as well.
“Our players are a really competitive bunch which got us to thinking how we could get them out of their houses and focussed on something positive that was going to be a tough challenge, cue the Trans-Siberian Extreme challenge.
“This is a gruelling 9259km (5,754 miles) race starting in Moscow and ending in Vladivostok (organised annually by Redbull) and as a team we decided to walk this distance in the month of February (starting on the 1st and finishing at midnight on the 28th).
“We tracked the miles using Strava which also added that competitive element as they can check the weekly leader board to see who is on top in terms of distance.
“We completed the task by walking a massive 10,648km (6,616.6 miles) in 28 days this was an epic response by the players and parents who really got on board with the challenge, the support the team has received has been superb from everyone.
“We are still fundraising for the section, and actively looking for sponsors for the 21/22 season.
“We are also actively recruiting for new players to represent all our age groups Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-18s and our ladies team.”