Haringey Rhinos’ ladies got a surprise at their training session when Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan turned up with a van-load of free medical equipment and supplies.
Logistics company DHL held a national competition called ‘DHL Delivers Rugby’ which invited grassroots clubs to list the equipment they needed – and a panel of judges awarded the prize to Haringey, who wanted to make their practice sessions safer.
Viccy Gardiner, who submitted the application, said: “We had an injury in training a few weeks ago - a very dislocated and broken ankle – and unfortunately we had to wait quite some time for paramedics to attend.
“The entire team stayed with her until they arrived, holding umbrellas and a makeshift canopy out of jackets zipped together. That’s because Rhinos are loyal; we’re a family.”
Haringey, who did not know they had won the competition, received a special delivery at last week’s training session, and Premiership forward Buchanan acted as the courier, handing over equipment including a spinal board, stretcher, ice packs and an RFU standard first aid kit.
Buchanan said: “Obviously in the Premiership we’re fortunate to have access to great facilities, but I know many players aren’t so lucky. It’s great that the Rhinos look out for each other, and now they’re even better equipped.
“DHL has a long history of supporting professional and grassroots rugby around the world, and they’re taking that to the next level with ‘DHL Delivers Rugby’.”
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