In France, there is a stained-glass window in a medieval chapel that depicts Mary holding baby Jesus, who in turn is holding a rugby ball. The chapel is called Notre Dame du Rugby Chapel – Our Lady of Rugby, and it can be found in the rural town of Larrivière-Saint-Savin. In 1956, the local parish Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Rugby’
Rugby – we shouldn’t pray to win says priest
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
Fr Antony Sumich, a New Zealand priest and former international rugby player and coach, has spoken candidly about the profound impact of rugby on his spiritual journey. A member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, Sumich has had a dual role as a club player in New Zealand and the coach of Croatia’s national Read more
Young rugby player’s father rails against ‘injustice’ of team injured playing on turf
Thursday, July 6th, 2023A college rugby player’s father says the serious injuries his daughter and her teammates have suffered playing rugby on artificial turf are unacceptable. Anna Kerr a 13-year-old played for St Mary’s College Wellington second 15s but after Wednesday’s game, she said she would never play on an artifical field again. Wounds on her knees were Read more
Alan Grey RIP: Businessman, rugby enthusiast and philanthropist
Thursday, April 5th, 2018
Hundreds gathered in Apia on the Wednesday before Easter for the funeral of prominent businessman and philanthropist La’auli Alan Grey in what’s been described as a who’s who of Samoan society. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mulivai. Grey was the unassuming but astute businessman who took the legendary Aggie Read more
Outrage in Tonga over apparent ban on girls playing rugby
Thursday, March 22nd, 2018There has been outrage among Tongans over an official letter purporting to ban girls at the country’s state school from playing rugby and boxing. The letter from the Ministry of Education informed staff at Tonga High School that the girls shouldn’t be playing such sports because it goes against young women’s dignity and Tongan culture Read more
St Pat’s Silverstream win Rugby Premiership
Monday, August 21st, 2017St Patrick’s College, Silverstream have won their first WelTec Premiership title since 2012 with a come-from-behind win over Wellington College. St Pats Silverstream kept Wellington scoreless in the second half as they turned an 11-7 halftime deficit into a 17-11 win at Porirua Park on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading
Sonny Bill Williams says fasting helps mind and body
Monday, June 26th, 2017
Sonny Bill Williams had only a small meal of grilled fish and steamed vegetables, and drank a glass or two of water, before he took to the field for the first test match between the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks. The had the meal just after the sunset at 5.10pm. As a Read more
St Mary’s College 7’s rugby champs – with a little help from coach’s mate Ardie Savea
Monday, March 20th, 2017
Tuga Mativa and his mate All Black Ardie Savea have put St Mary’s College in Wellington on the world rugby map. St Mary’s College Sevens team was first formed less than two years ago. In 2016 the girls won every tournament they entered and are the current National Secondary School Champions. Now, in April, they hope Read more
The surprising faith of world’s toughest rugby players
Tuesday, October 6th, 2015
At an audience in the Vatican in 2013, standing in front of the assembled Italian and Argentine rugby squads – hard-bitten, elite sportsmen, in the toughest, roughest of games – Pope Francis reached for a metaphor. Wanting to convey the need for cooperation in life, he said: “The important thing is not running alone. We Read more
Samoa’s Marist Sports Club – birthplace of champions
Friday, September 18th, 2015
This week the Marist Sports Club in Apia is celebrating its 45th anniversary. The Club came into existence when the two Marist clubs, namely Marist Rugby Club and St Joseph’s Rugby Club, decided to merge in 1970. Following its merger, the Club has contributed to the development of rugby in Sāmoa through the many players Read more