World record to help crippled scholar

Two of the biggest names in Sevens, Fijian legend Waisale Serevi and United States veteran Matt Hawkins, have teamed up in a world record attempt to raise funds for a crippled player.

Hawkins, a member of the US Sevens and 15-a-side teams, are working with Serevi, the most celebrated player in the abbreviated form of the game, on the fundraiser - in which they hope to set a new world record for the largest scrum.

On Saturday, June 9 the 'Team Ronan Rugby Challenge' will feature an attempt to break the world record for the largest scrum (840 students) - set by Belfast's Ravenhill Royal Academy in Northern Ireland.

It is all in aid of young Ronan Nelson, a 16-year-old sophomore student at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, CA, who was critically injured in a club rugby game in San Diego in April.

He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where surgery was performed to repair his broken neck. Subsequent strokes from blood clots formed from the injury causing temporary blindness and other health issues.

After a several weeks at Scripps La Jolla, Nelson was transferred to Sharp Memorial Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation, where he continues his quest to regain normal function, including the ability to walk.

The young player is determined to overcome his current condition and is working very hard in rehab to achieve his goal of walking again.

The Cathedral Catholic High School community and the Coastal Dragons Rugby Club are backing the drive by the organisers - which include Hawkins and Serevi - to help raise funds for Nelson's rehabilitation.

The June 9 event at Cathedral Catholic includes an exhibition game by the US Eagles Sevens players, San Diego State University players, and Cathedral Catholic High School players.

The US Eagles players, along with key athletes from X-Game exhibition sports, will be on hand to sign autographs.

For more information visit https://www.wepay.com/events/team-ronan-rugby-challenge