Weight-loss rugby club 'fantastic' for mental health

A man who lost five per cent of his body weight by joining a rugby club for overweight or obese men, said it had been "fantastic" for his mental health.

Graeme Adams, 62, who has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has Type 2 diabetes, lost almost two stone (11kg) in 18 months.

Adams said Man v Fat Rugby Cheltenham, which is for men with a body mass index (BMI) over 27.5, said playing the sport was a great way of losing weight and making new friends.

The players are weighed before a match and the scores on the pitch each week are added to points for weight loss - with overall winners crowned at the end of a 14-week season.

"There's an added impetus because you don't want to let your side down, but you don't want to let yourself down either," said Adams, who joined the club with his son.

"It's really, really good and the mental health wellbeing you get from it is fantastic," he said.

The club takes place at Cheltenham Tigers RFC on Wednesdays in association with Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union.

After weigh-ins, the men battle it out on the field in small-sided games of touch rugby.

Head coach, Karl White, said the group had lost 60 stone (382kg) in total, with 60 of the players losing five per cent of their previous weight.

"That is amazing, life-changing and life-extending," said White.

"Some of the guys have actually achieved a BMI within a healthy range, so sub-25, so some really, really impressive weight loss," he said.

Cosimo Trinca joined the club a year ago, weighing over 15 stone (95kg) after not "feeling great" about himself.

"The best part for me is the camaraderie in my group.

"We have a lot of banter both on and off the pitch and it's great to feel part of a team and have their support," he said.

The club currently has 30 players but is looking for more members.

"The community spirit of the club is electric," said White.

"You might have the white team against the red team on the field, but they're very much in it together in terms of wanting that positive change.

"They're in it not only to improve their health, but for the love of the game as well," he added.

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