Our Story

The Beginning

The whole “Nag” idea started with a thought: “Can a twelve-tonne barge be pulled by human power alone the distance of a marathon?”

Five rugby players joined together to make it happen, pulling the narrowboat 32 miles between Birmingham and Worcester over five days. The distance was supposed to be slightly less, but on one particular day they took a detour to find a pub in a nearby town and pulled the boat there.

The plan was hatched on the trip – create a charity rugby team to play every two years to raise even more for Cancer Research UK. The team would be called The Nags after the old horses that used to pull the barges.

Raised: £4,700

Nags v Kidderminster Carolians RFC

The first Nags game against Kidderminster Carolians RFC attracted 45 players from Wales, the Midlands and Gloucestershire. The inaugural match smashed its target.

Played partly in monsoon conditions, the teams played in great spirit ending with a sing-song and some traditional drinking games in the clubhouse.

The Nags Charity Barbarians Rugby Team was born, and adopted the slogan: “Rugby to tackle cancer.”

Raised: £7,000

Walk a Mile

The Nags tried a quick fundraiser by challenging people to walk a mile and donate a pound. The idea came from a Macmillan article noting that walking a mile a day can help prevent certain cancers.

With a little persuasion and the help of a local school, the Nags racked up 1,000 miles.

Raised: £1,000

Nags v Lampeter RFC

A much bigger event – 60 players, four quarters of rugby, sponsorship and a raffle and auction pushed the Nags into five figures. The town of Lampeter was said to have been invaded, but warmly welcomed by the locals.

Lampeter RFC put on a campsite on their training pitch. The match ball was delivered by the West Wales Cycling Racing Team, all the way from Kidderminster. The Treharris Male Voice Choir provided the entertainment.

Played in stifling heat – both sides played open expansive rugby with a little bit of physicality.

Raised: £17,000

The Canoe Challenge

Between the rugby matches, the “filler” was invented – alternative challenges to keep the fundraising rolling. The inaugural filler: 50 miles down the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Tewkesbury.

27 canoeists, most of whom had never canoed before, took on one of Britain’s most dangerous rivers in a flotilla of canoes, kayaks and bell-boats. After a worrying thunderstorm that passed immediately overhead on day two, they were met by a rainbow approaching Tewkesbury.

Three days of paddling, camping at Stourport and Upton-upon-Severn, with a customary detour to Bewdley for a half of lager and a bag of chips.

Raised: £6,600

Crabbies Nomination

In recognition of the Nags’ work linking rugby with charity, the club reached the shortlist for the Crabbies National Rugby Awards. From hundreds of entrants the Nags reached the final seven.

Some Nags representatives attended the presentation day at Twickenham. When the Droitwich fundraising total was announced, there was a distinct gasp from the rest of the audience.

Runners-up · The Crabbies National Rugby Awards

Nags v Droitwich RFC

The Nags’ third game, ambitious aim to beat £30k on the day. Droitwich RFC and the Nags put on a superb show on the pitch and off it – live music, a rodeo bull, and a pantomime horse ball-boy. The event picked up the nickname “Nagstonbury”.

75 players, coaches and physios from 18 different clubs across Britain and Ireland. Four games of brilliantly free-flowing rugby, no quarter given. The Nags Support Team meanwhile operated a brilliantly slick fundraising operation.

Raised: £40,000

Snoverest

Another filler. The idea was created, as they all now seem to be, over a few beers in a rugby club. Eight Snowdons is equivalent to Everest, hence the name.

The Nags split into small teams to collectively climb the mountain eight times over the weekend. Teams of eight climbed once each, teams of four twice, and the crazy individuals who climbed eight times on their own.

75 Nags took part. Total climbs: 168.

Raised: £19,300

Llansawel Invitational

The Nags took on a Llansawel Invitational Squad at Llandovery RFC. Although Llansawel RFC had disbanded a few years earlier, many of their ex-players had supported the Nags since the start. The perfect game to bring those pioneer fundraisers back together.

Called “The Star Tour” – the event took the Nags past £100,000 total raised, and the badge received its first gold star. The second wasn’t far behind.

Raised: £78,100 · First gold star earned