#PositiveEnergy: ‘Call A Mate’ Kicks Off For Clubs
All Ireland League Division 1A, Belfield, UCD, Dublin 6/10/2018 UCD vs UCC UCC’s James Taylor celebrates scoring a try with Mark Bissesar and John Poland Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Oisin Keniry
UCC RFC are encouraging people to use rugby as a reason for people to stay connected during the current lockdown. Their ‘Call A Mate’ campaign is about picking up the phone this Friday to call someone they know and check in on how they’re doing.
For the rugby community, a quick chat during the half-time window of Ireland’s game in the Guinness Series and Autumn Nations Cup clash with Wales is the perfect opportunity.
Tommy Holohan is UCC RFC’s Club Student Chair. He was also selected in September as one of four Munster representatives on the IRFU Youth Council. His club role involves keeping students’ needs to the fore and keeping in touch with team captains, club officers and alumni. The club are one of many to make the most of the Movember initiative and the ‘Call A Mate’ idea was a part of it.
In times like this watching a game or just being by yourself can be lonely and even ten minutes might change someone’s day.
Don’t tweet about it or hashtag it after. Just call someone and ask how they are. You might save a life. pic.twitter.com/QiIeeN9VHN
— UCC Rugby (@UCCRFC) November 11, 2020
“As an idea it’s simple and effective,” Tommy says. He’s been working Shane O’Hanlon, Annie Laffan, Liam McCarty, Shane O’Driscoll and Rugby Development Officer Jack Casey to bring ‘Call A Mate’ to life.
“We’re all locked down at the moment and it can leave some of us isolated. Matches are normally a focal point where we’d ring a couple of mates and have them over to the house or meet in the club. We can’t do that now, obviously.”
“The idea is just to take 10 minutes and reach out. You never know what’s going on in someone’s day. The match is on a Friday. Someone might have had a really good week and you’re just adding to it or someone might have had a bad week and you might be helping to bring them around.
“We all stay connected online. We tag people and we send messages, but this is about hearing someone’s voice and having a genuine conversation. You can ask – Are you okay? How are you? How was your week?
“So it’s not just a social media campaign. It’s about the people. It’s started within the rugby club but it’s bigger than that.”
Other Energia All-Ireland League clubs are getting involved too by sharing the campaign through social media.
“The match is a national event and it’s going to be on TV so there will be lots of people at home and watching it,” says Tommy.
“Sometimes it’s more about the event than the rugby. People might be watching it and want to be involved but be a bit isolated or alone.
“It might be about someone you’re in regular contact with, but you haven’t seen in a while. It might be a housemate who’s moved back home or a workmate.
“Let’s make sure we check in with people.”
‘We need our team ethic more than ever. I can protect my team-mates; they can protect me and success on us all doing that.’
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bryan Keane