Hospital to hold its own rugby tournament

MORE than 150 healthcare staff at a Suffolk hospital are set to do battle in their very own rugby tournament.

Doctors, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, administrators and managers from West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds will face off in the competition.

Playing using the rugby sevens format, the tournament will take place at The Habeden home of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Union Football Club in Bury today.

The event will resemble the rugby world sevens competition, with 16 teams each representing a nation in their bid for the championship title.

The hospital staff will be joined by student coaches and players from West Suffolk College.

Organised following the success of a world cup competition last year, the event has been designed to boost team spirit while also encouraging staff to be more active.

Jan Bloomfield, executive director of workforce and communications at the hospital, said: “Last year’s event was a great success, and the feedback from staff who took part was fantastic.

“We hope that we can recreate a similar atmosphere this year while encouraging friendly competition between the teams and helping our staff get more active.

“Our thanks go to Bury Rugby Club, West Suffolk College and everyone else who has helped organise the tournament and to all of the players who have worked so hard during training.

“We hope that both those taking part and the supporters coming along to watch the games really enjoy the day.”

The RFU is supporting the event, while the hospital is also working in partnership with the college, Bury Rugby Club and Radio West Suffolk.

The day has been sponsored by Samurai Sports and the Friends of West Suffolk Hospital.

The games will get underway at 11am with the trophy presentation expected to take place at about 4pm.