BR Barbarians v NGN XV Charity rugby match in memory of Ben Robinson Wednesday 4th March, 7.30pm, Shaw’s Bridge
Family and friends of the late Benjamin Robinson will play in a charity rugby match this week in his memory.
Ben, a pupil at Carrickfergus Grammar School, passed away in January 2011 as the result of ‘second impact syndrome’ following several heavy tackles received during a rugby match. Since then his parents have campaigned tirelessly to highlight the risks of concussion, promoting the ‘recognise and remove’ protocol.
The BR Barbarians will face a team from Ballynahinch RFC, the NGN XV, named for former Ulster player Nevin Spence, his brother Graham and father Noel who tragically lost their lives in a farming accident in 2012.
The game will be played at Shaw’s Bridge on Wednesday 4th March with a 7.30pm kick off but before that, Colin Williamson, a Head Injury Specialist Nurse at the RVH’s Regional Trauma Centre will make a short prevention about head injury awareness and how to recognise the signs and symptoms both during and after a rugby match with parents, teachers and young players urged to come along.
“The last thing we want to do is frighten anyone and scare them away from a game that we love” said Ben’s father Peter. “However it is so important that when it comes to head injuries, that players and their parents, teachers and referees know what to look out for, so that another family does not have to go through what we have.”
“Ben loved rugby and so Wednesday’s match will be an opportunity for us to do something in his memory and have a little fun with a match that I’m sure will be competitive but played in the true spirit of the game. At the same time we hope to raise awareness of the risks of concussion and some money for a number of fantastic charities.”
Everyone is welcome, the presentation will begin at 7pm with a 7.30pm match kick off and full bar facilities will be available in the clubhouse.
