MAN v FAT is set to launch a host of new rugby clubs across the country after some superb successes in 2024.
Following on from its successes with MAN v FAT Football since 2016, the first rugby clubs were launched in the Autumn of 2024, with Birmingham, Cheltenham and Leicester the first to get started.
So far, men in those three clubs have lost an astonishing 316kgs of weight so far, including several members who have hit 5% and 10% weight loss landmarks.
Inspired by that early performance on the scales, MAN v FAT will be launching multiple new rugby clubs in early 2025. Bradford, Bristol, Castleford, Chiswick, Edinburgh and Wigan have all been confirmed, with further locations already on the horizon.
MAN v FAT Rugby Lead Karl White said: We have been really encouraged by not only the interest in MAN v FAT Rugby from players and potential partners, but the overall success of the pilot locations.
“It’s been a joy to see that no matter the shape of the ball, the weekly weigh-in and game is somewhere that our players build confidence, make new friends and improve their mental health, while losing weight. In many cases, we’re providing men who haven’t picked up an oval ball in years the chance to get back into playing a sport that they love, without the fuss of having to get a group together or book facilities.”
MAN v FAT has now supported over 35,000 men on their health and wellbeing efforts so far and cumulative weight loss across Football, Rugby and Soccer is now approaching 750,000lbs lost.
The successes are so much more than just the weight loss, of course, with significant improvements to mental health being reported by the men who’ve participated in one of the three programmes run by MAN v FAT.
That includes Gareth Robinson, who joined MAN v FAT Rugby in Leicester to reduce his risks of cardiovascular disease and to be able to do more with his children. Gareth was one of the first to hit 10% weight loss in MAN v FAT Rugby and has relished his time in the community so far.
“I have tried losing weight on my own before with mixed results, sometimes I would do OK but would always fall back off the horse and put the weight back on, so I was looking to try something different to see if that would work for me,” he said.
“I saw the adverts for MAN v FAT Rugby on Facebook and it seemed like a good opportunity to try it out.
“I used to enjoy the social side of rugby when I played a few years back, and we get a bit of that on a Monday night now. The teams are all supportive of each other and there is good atmosphere.
“I also really like to see the other guys doing well and celebrating their successes, as I know that they are all working hard to shift some weight too. I go to the weigh in wanting to have lost weight for myself, but also for the team.
“There is a level of competition for each team to want to win the matches on the pitch and on the scales, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to be the first to get to a personal milestone as well, so that is something we can all individually aim for as well.”
If you’re keen to pull on your boots in 2025 and join one of our MAN v FAT Rugby clubs, you can visit www.manvfatrugby.com to sign up or to express an interest in MAN v FAT coming to your area. We look forward to welcoming you along!
Meanwhile, MAN v FAT are keen to expand their footprint across the UK in 2025 and beyond and are seeking to work with more rugby partners to achieve their goals.
If you’re a rugby club or facility keen to launch or host a club in your area, please drop us a line at rugby@manvfat.com.
