One boy was ridiculed on Facebook because he is too big to be a part of his Under-12s Rugby team. He received incredible support from the biggest rugby players in the world.
According to Mark’s tweet, Alfie, a young player who plays for Oakdale RFC Caerphilly in Wales was targeted online by an “idiotic” online troll because of his weight.
Mark Pugsley’s tweet read: ‘Had to remove a post from Facebook as an idiot commented saying my boy is too ‘big’ to play under 12s and isn’t healthy. If only people knew how hard he works to get fitter and how low his confidence has been. Don’t worry Alfie I’ll always be your biggest fan.’
The loving father’s frustrated outburst was quickly met with messages of love and support from social media users, but Alfie’s plight went viral and attracted the attention of some of rugby’s true greats.
Now, Alfie has received an incredible outpouring of support and inspirational messages from the likes of Double World Cup winner Jerome Kaino of New Zealand, World Cup winning loosehead prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira of South Africa, and former England and British and Irish Lions prop Alex Corbisiero, to name a few.
Plenty of famous Welshmen from the world of rugby, including Wales’ lightning winger Louis-Rees Zammit, fullback Liam Williams, former rugby union and league star Jonathan Davies, and legendary referee Nigel Owens also extended their support.
Mark Pugsley tweeted: “Had to delete a Facebook post as an idiot commented that my boy was too big to play under 12s. He isn’t healthy. It would be amazing if people understood how difficult he worked to become fitter, and how low his self-confidence was. Alfie, don’t be discouraged. I will always be your greatest fan.
Alfie is a young footballer who plays in Oakdale RFC, Caerphilly. Mark published a Tweet over the weekend claiming that an online troll called him an “idiotic”.
Tendai Mtawarira was the World Cup-winning loosehead prop. He is known for being referred to as “The Beast” because of his enormous size. Once upon a while, people bullied me over my weight and asked if I was right for my age.
All Blacks two-time World Cup winner Jerome Kaino wrote: ‘Hey Alfie, you keep having loads of fun & working hard mate, our beautiful game is for ALL genders, people from ALL walks of life & also ALL shapes & sizes, keep that smile on your face brother & keep up the awesome work.’
Alex Corbisiero, former loosehead prop for England and the British and Irish Lions, even shared a picture of himself as a young player on the larger side with a message of support. ‘Hi Mark, please show this to Alfie, I heard very similar things when I was younger, Alfie keep working hard, you will have the last laugh and I promise this experience will make you a better person later in your life. Keep smiling,’ he wrote.
World Cup winning loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira, known as ‘The Beast’ for his incredible size, responded: ‘Big fella you have my support. I walked this road too once upon a time when people silently bullied me about my size and questioned whether I was the correct age for my age group. Keep your head high and never let the haters get to you. The game of rugby is for all.’
All Blacks two-time World Cup winner Jerome Kaino wrote: ‘Hey Alfie, you keep having loads of fun & working hard mate, our beautiful game is for ALL genders, people from ALL walks of life & also ALL shapes & sizes, keep that smile on your face brother & keep up the awesome work.’
AndAlex Corbisiero is a former loosehead for England and Ireland. Alex shared an image of him as a young man on the larger side, along with a support message.
Mark wrote, “Hello Mark. Please give this to Alfie. These were very similar words that I heard when I was young.” I promised this would make me a better person and help me grow as a person. Continue smiling,” he wrote.
Alfie has also received messages of goodwill and kind words from several sporting icons who made their name away from the rugby field, including Welsh former cruiserweight boxing champion Enzo Maccarinelli and former Liverpool and England footballer Robbie Fowler.
Alfie was also presented with a host of wonderful gifts by well-wishers. Louis ReesZammit invited Alfie to Gloucester to see premiership rugby. Andy Powell, a former player from Wales and British/Irish Lions said that he would be coaching a Oakdale RFC session.
Many famous Welshmen, such as Jonathan Davies (ex-rugby union star) and Nigel Owens (legendary referee), extended their support.
Alfie got the opportunity to view a Gloucester match thanks to Louis-Rees Zammit (Wales’ lightning winger).
Welsh player Liam Williams tweeted support. Mark responded that he and Alfie had been’star struck.
Alfie received positive messages and words of encouragement from several sport icons. These included Enzo Maccarinelli (Welsh former cruiserweight boxing champion) and Robbie Fowler (England former footballer).
Andy Powell, a former player from Wales and British and Irish Lions, said that he will coach an Oakdale RFC session
Mark’s Tweet has been liked 195,000+ times. Alfie’s father responded by saying that it baffled him that an adult who does not even know Alfie spent time trying to make fun of him on Facebook.
“He didn’t see any comments on Facebook. He’s an older man who is very conscious of his body, but still enjoys playing rugby.
Alfie’s rugby club described him as a “well-respected and important member of our team, and above all, a charming young man.”
Oakdale RFC’s Dana Johnson said that Alfie is supported by us all. He’ll never be far from our red wall. Much love Alfie boy.’
Michel Roux Jr., the celebrity chef and Michel Roux Jr. got in touch to say hello to Mark.
Former England international Brian Moore tweeted: ‘I know it’s hard to ignore the bad comments but they come from idiots who try to make themselves feel better by running down other people,’ he said.
Michel Roux Jr., famous celebrity chef, contacted Mark to say kind words to him
Roux Jr. posted, ‘I’d like you to be in my team Alfie’, which Mark replied, ‘actually’ [Alfie]He wants to become a chef once he is older’.
Mark replied to many of these messages by thanking local residents and some sporting stars. However, there are still waves of support flooding in.
Mark told The Times: ‘I’ve had so many people from the rugby community reach out with such positive messages. The rugby twitter community is amazing. I won’t mind taking the dislike on any of my many chins. Everyone’s kindness has been overwhelming.