Dual dream for work duo

A local MP has made childhood dreams come true for two workers at a Cannock business.

As well as sharing the same surname, colleagues Wayne Ball and Robert Ball both share a love of rugby, and a dream that one-day their boots might run on the hallowed turf of the home of England rugby – Twickenham.

Now, thanks to the Conservative MP for Cannock Chase, Aidan Burley, their dream is about to be realised, as both will play in a game at the 82,000 seater stadium on April 17th 2012, watched by their family and friends, and their best fans, Wayne’s sons Oliver (age 3) and Billy (age 1) and Robert’s daughters, Harriet (age 3) and Jessica (age 1).

Having thought any chances of glory at Twickenham had passed them by years ago, 47 year old Wayne and 33 year old Robert have been selected to take the field in a combined XV, facing Common and Lords Parliamentary rugby team opponents at the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world, in a game organised specifically to raise money for the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

The pair, who work for Icon Exhibitions & Display Ltd in Great Wyrley, were thrilled to learn that they were both picked from Cannock Rugby Club, where Wayne usually plays as a back row flanker and Robert plays scrum half. The team that will play at Twickenham has been put together from Aidan’s constituency, which contains two local rival rugby clubs, Cannock and Rugeley. Icon Exhibitions is providing blue and black rugby shirts for the Cannock and Rugeley team, as well as being the team’s shirt sponsor.

Wayne Ball says, “It’s every rugby player’s ambition to play at Twickenham, and the fact that we can raise a lot of money for a good charity at the same time is just a bonus. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to play on the pitch and the whole experience will just be amazing, from being in the changing rooms to walking out of the tunnel, to the game itself.  We look forward to meeting some of our new team mates from the Rugeley club and giving the Commons and Lords Parliamentary team a challenging game.”

MP Aidan Burley comments, "I am delighted to have been able to offer this opportunity to Cannock and Rugeley rugby clubs, and I know how much it will mean to the lads to be able to run out on the pitch at Twickenham. I'm sure the Chase Coalition will give us a good game, and I look forward to catching up with them all on the 17th."

All players, including Wayne and Robert, will be trying to raise as much money as possible for the RFU Injured Players Foundation. If you’d like to sponsor the boys from Icon Exhibitions, you can make a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/CannockRUFC