Members of Rotherham United’s ESports team will be ditching the control pads and lacing up their boots as they look to emulate their skills in the virtual world in a real life charity football match.
Two groups from within the Rotherham United Community Sports Trust will come together at Scarborough Athletic’s first team stadium for an 11-a-side fixture which will see the ESports team lock horns with players from the Man vs Fat initiative, all in aid of St. Catherine’s Hospice.
The aim of the fixture, as well as raising money for a charity which has impacted the lives of a number of the ESports team’s players, is to raise awareness for those suffering with mental and physical health problems.
This game will be just one of a host of fixtures that the ESports team will take part in, after they teamed up with Virtual Pro Gaming to begin a series of charity matches which will see them lock horns with a number of other teams across the Yorkshire region, with the same aim of raising money for charity.
The two Community Sports Trust entities will face off in the fundraising fixture on Saturday 22nd June in a 2pm kick off at Scarborough Athletic’s home stadium.
Preparations for the match are already underway with players taking part in the ‘Fit Fans: The Road To Scarborough’ project, which is a free six week course to help players acclimatise to the rigours of playing an 11 a side match. Players from the ESports and Man vs Fat teams have been gearing up by getting into the gym and going on bike rides as part of the project,
ESports player Rob Hawden, who has been a driving force behind his side’s efforts to get involved in the charity game told www.themillers.co.uk:
“We’re really looking forward to the game which will see two very different, but equally enjoyable groups from the Community Sports Trust come together to hopefully raise some money for a fantastic cause.
“The idea of the game is just to get people active really. The benefits of physical activity are clear for all to see and I know that a few of our lads have found that it is, having suffered with mental health problems in the past.
“St. Catherine’s Hospice is a charity that has affected the lives of a few players in our team and with the game being played in Scarborough, it seemed fitting to raise money for them.
“I am sure it will be a great occasion for all involved and if we can raise a good sum, while the players from both teams enjoy it and get some mental and physical benefit, then it will be a good day all round.”
To donate to the fundraiser, visit the JustGiving page here.