McMaster men’s rugby hosts Movember tournament for men’s health

You may have seen a few extra mustaches around lately. The Movember campaign is well underway, signaled by the stache, to raise awareness about men’s overall health.

Today, the McMaster men’s rugby team hosted a tournament in its name.

From professional rugby players to rookies, there was no minimum skill required – just come out and try rugby, all for a good cause.

For the month of November the prominence of the super stache will be evident to mark an international campaign to raise funds and awareness about men’s overall health.

“I think for men especially, typically we’re not very outgoing and we’re not going to share how we feel or what we’re going through with people,” said Will Kelly, head coach of the McMaster men’s rugby team.

McMaster men’s rugby Movember campaign put the call out on campus for teams to raise money, awareness and toss the ball around.

Last year’s campaign saw $31,000 raised. This year? They are hoping to beat it.

“I think being together in such a unique sport like rugby where there’s a lot of brotherhood and a lot of family, I think we really look out for each other, and I think we really support each other. And I think we realize that not everyone has that support,” said Spens Alexander, a member of the McMaster rugby campaign.

Some came to try the sport for the first time.

“It’s been a lot of fun. Today was the first day I touched a rugby ball,” said Nadia Breault, a member of the McMaster engineering team.

Others have personal reasons.

“My father Ian has secondary progressive MS, so he’s in a wheelchair and has been for the better part of 20 years, and so that’s my motivation,” said Alexander.

The team will host events around campus throughout the month, but today was the main draw.

“I just think the great thing today is the various different people that are here,” said Kelly.

More information about the McMaster men’s rugby Movember campaign can be found here.

WATCH MORE: McMaster student raises cash by growing ‘stache for Movember charity