Why do you love rugby?

As the 2025 Men’s Six Nations (M6N) draws to a close, Rich, Co-CEO of Sportily and leader of the Sport and Faith team of coaches, has been asked a question many times: ‘Rich – why do you love rugby so much?’

"A seemingly simple question but perhaps not so simple to answer. I was fortunate to play rugby for 30 consecutive seasons, enjoy coaching now and, as my family will testify, am also a fan watching as many matches as I can from many different leagues, cups and tournaments around the world. Of course, the Six Nations is one of the best with it's history, the rivalry and the high quality (mostly!) rugby on display.  

What I have noticed is that many people who ask questions then go and quickly answer them for you. Having asked me the question around rugby the answers that people give on my behalf are normally:  

‘I bet you love the physicality.’ I do, and I do miss this now I cannot play. For my being physical and active are massively linked to my physical and mental health and general happiness. While rugby is a physical game it is, in fact, an invasion and evasion sport and what I love most of all about rugby is the creativity and co-creation that takes places on the pitch with so many moving parts and possibilities. As well as being physical beings I also believe we are creative beings made by the ultimate Creator. It is important I find space and time to be physical, to be active and to creative. I think this is true for all of us although it does not need to be through rugby.  

‘I bet you love winning.’ I do love competition, but this is not the same as winning nor winning at all costs. For the youth teams I have coached I would much rather we played a competitive match and lost than an easy win. There are times we lost a match, but we were coaching for a longer-term win of player development or player retention. I believe that we are given gifts and talents by God, and we are called to do the very best with them. This takes effort and energy and drive, and this is similar to my competitive spirit. Being part of the team that established and leads Sportily is one example of where this competitive spirit has been utilised for the good of many others. I have been known to be over competitive, and it is in these moments I try to remember that, for me, I am playing/coaching for an audience of one no matter whether I win, lose or draw. For me, that audience is Jesus – creator of the universe.  

‘I bet you love the beer.’ I do like a beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties are available) but it is always about the people. I have lived in Bristol, Southampton, Beverley, Liverpool and now Gloucestershire and in all these places I could turn up to ‘my’ rugby club and find some people to chat and spend time with. People I care about and who care about me.  I believe we are created to be part of families, tribes, teams and not isolated people. As work and life gets busy, as I get drawn into my next book or crime drama or even doom scrolling, I need to remember that I need to get out and be with people. I love that this creation of communities runs through all that we do here at Sportily.  

‘I bet you love that it gives you something to do.’ This question is always around people wanting to know about where my value and purpose comes from. Rugby gives me many things, as can be seen above, and it is even a place in where I find myself able to worship God, but my value is not in how well my team played or how I played or coached. My purpose is not in nor of rugby - my fullness of life comes only through God. I will try to remember this as I watch England play and as I stand watching the team I currently coach no matter how well they are playing."