Students at Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst campus are playing rugby again after 20 years — with help from Southwell Rugby Club.
Students Shamshir Mulji, 20 (left) and Josh Chorlton 20 are put through their paces by Jim Burley, of Southwell Rugby Club. (300112JT2-23)
The students challenged the rugby club to an exhibition game for the Southwell Welly prize last year.
After Brackenhurst lost, the rugby club agreed to help the students form their own team.
It now has about 20 players training with coaches from Southwell on Monday nights.
Brackenhurst rugby team captain Shamshir Mulji, 20, known as Sham, said they hoped to begin playing other university teams later in the year.
He said: “Brackenhurst had a team when it was a college but since it became a university it sort of fizzled out.
“This is good for the university and good for the rugby club as well to have some involvement.”
Sham, a second-year zoo biology student, said he was grateful to Southwell Rugby Club for its help.
He said: “There is definitely a big buzz around campus about rugby again.
“The rugby club have been brilliant. They are letting us use their facilities and ground on Monday nights, which will also become our home ground, and they have also been helping with coaching. It has gone really well.”
Rugby club chairman Mr Tom Craig said working with the student team was part of wider plans to get more involved in the community.
Mr Craig said he was looking forward to Southwell playing the Brackenhurst team for the welly again later this year.
He said: “The trouble is that we are teaching them how to play better. The welly is in prime position in the middle of our clubhouse so it is all to play for.
“They are a great bunch of lads and we are hoping for great things for them and with them.”
