Carnival Time at Nicholsons Centre as U16s claim new World tackling record

Saturday 20th March 2010

The Nicholsons Centre at Maidenhead kindly acted as hosts to Maidenhead Rugby Club Under 16s Squad this Saturday as they continued their efforts to raise funds for their forthcoming Rugby Tour to Argentina & Uruguay in July 2010.

The boys decided to "tackle" the world record for the highest number of rugby tackles in 1 hour. (The official Guinness Book of World Records record for this event outdoors is 4130 tackles. On the 31 May 2009, The Nottingham Boots rugby team beat this record with 4489 but in June 2009, New Zealand teams from Wellington & Poneke amassed a total tackle count of 4852, though this is yet to be validated.)

As there is no current Indoor World Record, what better opportunity for the boys to show off their skills, fitness and tenacity in the centre of their home town by setting one, whilst using the outdoor record of 4852 as their target? The boys all raised sponsorship ahead of the event and decided that on the day a percentage of any money collected should go to Sports Relief.

Supported by the London Irish Rugby Community Team and mascot "Digger" the Irish Wolfhound, the build up to the attempt started at 10am with children's games and prizes. Maidenhead RFC Under 10s were present showing their skills with "magic circle" passing games and were joined by local schoolgirls and mums, The Maidenettes!

Passing shoppers were then amazed by the stunning Argentinian Tango Displays presented by local Professional Dancer and Instructor Edward Tattersfield and his partner Lindi Köpke. Recently returned from Argentina and with his own studio in Windsor where he offers a variety of individual or group classes, they were a delight to behold. (www.edwardtattersfield.com)

There was just enough time for a cheque from a previous fundraising effort to be presented to Jo Southby, Service Manager Thames Valley for Shelter, before local MP the Rt Hon Theresa May arrived to support and count the boys down to the start of the attempt, which started promptly at 1215. Abiding by Guinness World Record rules, two independent invigilators from the Berkshire Referees Association attended to measure the course and act as official counters whilst the attempt was both videod and photographed.

With parents, friends and many local shoppers in attendance, Mrs May blew the whistle and 33 boys embarked upon this huge challenge. After only 10 minutes it became clear that this was going to be tough. With injured team mates providing water and moral support it was, as some boys commented later, the longest hour of their lives! The whistle ended the attempt at 13.15 and following verification of the "clickers" it was announced that the boys had made an incredible 8762 tackles, nearly 4000 more than the outdoor record! Following collection of required statements, photo and video evidence the boys will claim this remarkable achievement as a New World Indoor Record and send it off to Guinness World Records to validate.

See U16 Gallery for more photos