MAN v FAT Swansea’s Rugby players are set for a big 2026, having already shifted 250kgs since they got started.
The Swansea community have built a strong network of support for each other, which has seen a wealth of positive transformations.
As things get into full swing in the new year, we caught up with Chris Davies, Paul Harris and Craig Yeates to find out how things have been going.
What was it made that you join MAN v FAT in the first place?
CD: “I just fancied a game of rugby. I played a huge amount in my youth and had a temporary break after Uni that ended up being permanent. It has always been a sense of regret for me but watching my son train with his U11 team gave me the kick to see if I could find something that I could call a comeback! MAN v FAT has been an excellent opportunity to play with a great set of lads and has become something I look forward to every week.”
PH: “I’ve been trying to find the right way to improve my fitness and health for a few years. I have tried dieting and taken part in EFL (football league) schemes with Swansea City FC Foundation for weight, loss programmes and walking football. I was a rugby player rather than a footballer, so I was keen to get involved with MAN v FAT Rugby as it appeared to offer the opportunity to lose weight and play some rugby.”
CY: “I have always fluctuated with my weight and when I saw that MAN v FAT Rugby had arrived in Swansea it interested me. I have never played sports outside of school so I was a little nervous but when I realised you don’t need that experience, I knew it was something I would be interested in pursuing.”
How have you found it has supported your weight loss and wellbeing efforts so far?
CD: “I picked up my 5% award in my first season and have had a good start to my second. I find the games being on a Monday helps to keep me honest over the weekend and whilst I have not cut anything out, wanting to help the team with the weigh in element of the scoring is a motivator for me.”
PH: “I have definitely found that the format has helped with weight loss; I managed to get to 10% after 2 seasons. I was surprised by the improvements. The collective accountability of not wanting to let the team down on the scales helps massively.
“There is a different culture with rugby folk that works well for me, and I am sure a number of the guys. Support from Lisa is great too, she is always positive and understands that as grown ups we all have challenges and obstacles that can hinder what we are trying to achieve. She is always keen to offer advice.”
CY: “The camaraderie of the players has really helped me feel encouraged and motivated to take part, especially if I have had a plateau in my progress, we all hold each other accountable and support one another which I have never had in my own personal dieting and exercise before.”
What are the best parts of being a part of a community like MAN v FAT?
CD: “It’s good to be part of a team again and to be around people who have similar goals is good for everyone.”
PH: “MAN v FAT provides the social element that you lose when you stop playing team sport. I find it incredibly important to have the chat and banter with like minded guys, its a welcome distraction from day to day life.”
CY: “The group of players are always helpful, but the excitement of turning up for a game and having the opportunity to be the top of the league or win the cup is a huge motivator for someone who has an ounce of competitiveness in them.”
What are your long term health goals?
CD: “I would like to lose a bit more weight. I’m a few kg away from the lowest I have weighed since my student days but it’s more than the weight alone. It’s the knowledge I can throw a ball around with my children and keep up with them when I do. It’s being able to pace them when they do junior parkruns and being healthier helps me be a better example to them and I’m convinced, a better father too.”
PH: “Long term I want to continue the weight loss and improve my fitness. I am enjoying playing rugby and I hope to be able to participate in touch rugby outside of MAN v FAT too. I don’t have a weight target as such as I feel its about health and being well and fit for my young family.”
CY: “Losing more weight and getting healthier habits that stick.”
Paul has also taken advantage of the MAN v FAT Injury Membership, which allows you to still be a part of the club and its environment, as well as taking advantage of the membership features, whilst returning from injury.
He said: “The Injury Membership is a great idea. It keeps the collective accountability for me and will help me to maintain focus and the social element. I hope to be able to use the time to help improve the community where I can.”
Want to join the lads?
You can sign up for the MAN v FAT Rugby club in Swansea by visiting our website – we also have a number of other clubs across the UK and would love to welcome you aboard!
