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The Mooney's packed it in a few years ago and moved to Guatemala (we miss the cr@p out of you, by the way). We live in Antigua now and coach a really sweet rugby club here, who have a ton of heart and are some of the coolest ruggers on the planet. But resources are VERY short and and the barriers very large. The club is working REALLY hard to build a women's program, and we have about 9 young women athletes who are really driven to advance their skills and form an official team to play in the national league here.
We are calling on our beloved rugby family around the world to lend a hand. This is the good stuff, folks-- giving back to the game and growing it for athletes who deeply need and appreciate the support.
To put it into perspective, and the IMPACT that you can have through donating--- there are about 300 rugby players total in this country, 350 tops including us retired wastes of space. On the women's side, there are no more than 50 players total. With some quality coaching and support, these young women could make it to the National Team which has Olympic Committee support, they could travel, they could earn scholarships to university. This is absolutely life-changing for our athletes. Beyond the gifts that rugby has given each of us (our teammates, our sense of personal strength and power, our resilience, our humor, our rugby family around the world), supporting these young athletes could absolutely change the trajectory of their lives in the best of ways.
Funds will support:
- Jerseys for the newly forming women's team
- Balls (you wouldn't believe how expensive they are here, we would love to eventually be able to give/subsidize a ball to each of our 30 athletes to work on skills in their free time)
- Field space (stupid soccer "futbol" hogs all the good fields and we REALLY need access to a full field to develop for 7s and 15s)
- Travel costs (some times the women athletes aren't given permission to travel from their parents if they have to share a van with the fellas, and with COVID traveling safely to tournaments is a huge barrier)
- A first aid kit would be magical, access to a PT for serious injuries, a fecking miracle on wheels
- Emerging equipment needs like cones, pads, scrum caps, tape, etc
- A small investment in club schwagg so that they can build a more sustainable fundraising plan for the next few years, selling t-shirts and hats etc to visitors/players
*The majority of funds will go to the women's team, but the club is really united and the men's players are incredibly supportive and inclusive of the women athletes (and young kids), so some of the funds will support the club/all players.
If you give over $100, I will get you a club t-shirt. It may take a year, but I will get it to you. Also a t-shirt (and room and board at The Mooney Home for Wayward Ruggers) for anyone who comes down for guest coaching. 100% serious.
If you can't give financially but have balls or schwagg/jerseys in good condition, our sweet friend Molly Albano is traveling down from Denver in a few weeks and will bring us some rugby gear. Message me for her address in Denver to send stuff to arrive by Sept 30th at the latest. If you do send jerseys or other clothing/schwagg, it would be so special if you could include a note or send a video to the players, giving some history on your career, when it was worn, and what rugby has meant for you. We will be giving the schwagg out as prizes for hard work and dedication, positive attitudes and notable growth, and I know the players will be SO TOUCHED to hear directly from you.
We love you and this game with all of our hearts. Thank you for your support!