Boks and Co stand up against online bully
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Stars from across the game of rugby have responded to show their support for an under-12s rugby player that has been the victim of online trolls.
A post was shared on Twitter over the weekend by Mark Pugsley, who said how his son Alfie has been accused of being “too big to play under 12s.” Since then, World Cup winners and legends of the game have commented to show their support.
The Twitter message said: “Had to remove a post from Facebook as an idiot commented saying my boy is too “big” to play under 12s and isn’t healthy. If only people knew how hard he works to get fitter and how low his confidence has been. Don’t worry Alfie I’ll always be your biggest fan.”
World Cup-winning loosehead prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira commented: “Big fella you have my support. I walked this road too once upon a time when people silently bullied me about my size and questioned whether I was the correct age for my age group. Keep your head high and never let the haters get to you. The game of rugby is for all.”
Current Springboks loosehead Ox Nche said “Hi Alfie ! Happy to see you take part in the beautiful game of Rugby ! Keep showing up for your games and for yourself ! There are no limits to what you can or can’t do ! The #OxKraal along with the thousands of responses below back you and that’s the true spirit of Rugby!”
Big fella you have my support. I walked this road too once upon a time when people silently bullied me about my size and questioned whether I was the correct age for my age group. Keep your head high and never let the haters get to you. The game of rugby is for all 👊🏽😉. https://t.co/abipxJHLma
— Tendai Mtawarira (@Beast_TM) January 24, 2022
Hi Alfie ! Happy to see you take part in the beautiful game of Rugby ! Keep showing up for your games and for yourself ! There are no limits to what you can or can’t do ! The #OxKraal along with the thousands of responses below back you and that’s the true spirit of Rugby! 🙌 https://t.co/b8gARWwL2w
— Retshegofaditswe Nche (@oxnche) January 24, 2022
Former England and British & Irish Lions loosehead Alex Corbisiero shared a photo of himself when he was younger in his comment.
Hi mark, please show this to Alfie, I heard very similar things when I was younger, Alfie keep working hard, you will have the last laugh and I promise this experience will make you a better person later in your life. Keep smiling 💜 pic.twitter.com/IwXhC1iwGX
— Alex Corbisiero (@AlexCorbs) January 24, 2022
Double World Cup winner with the All Blacks Jerome Kaino wrote:
Hey Alfie, you keep having loads of fun & working hard mate, our beautiful game is for ALL genders, people from ALL walks of life & also ALL shapes & sizes, keep that smile on your face brother & keep up the awesome work. 👍🏽🙌🏽❤️
— Jerome Kaino (@jeromekaino) January 23, 2022
Referee Nigel Owens even offered to referee a game.
Alfie mate, you keep enjoying the rugby. Always try your best, but always enjoy it. Your doing well keep going. I’ll come along to ref one of your games one day and will look forward to it. Keep smiling my friend 🏉
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) January 23, 2022
Alfie, keen working kid! As long as you’re enjoying it, that’s all that matters!! 💪🏽💪🏽
— Liam Williams (@SanjayWills) January 23, 2022
Alfie lots of us had the same things said about us mate. It’s not nice, but remember these comments are made by people who aren’t in a good place and they do it to make themselves feel better. It never works! Keep playing hard mate. Keep enjoying it!
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) January 24, 2022
Alfie don’t worry what other people say pal as long as your enjoying playing with your friends that’s all that matters keep it up pal 👍
— Josh Adams (@JoshAdams951) January 24, 2022
You’ve another fan In all the way in New Zealand Alfie keep up the great work brother ❤️ https://t.co/9CaHPH5dhB
— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) January 23, 2022
Brother you keep working hard and keep being you. Iv heard it all in my time playing rugby..you got fan here my man 🙏🏾🙋🏾♂️ #rugbyisforeveryone https://t.co/0xiSDb3JSx
— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) January 23, 2022
@Rugbyonslaught
