English rugby players headed to North Pole for charity game

Ten professional rugby players from the United Kingdom are about to head to the game of a lifetime.

In two weeks, the group will fly to Resolute Bay, Nunavut, and then hike to the magnetic North Pole. Once there, they'll construct a pitch, and play a game — the most northern game of rugby ever played — while raising money for charity. 

"We needed something kind of special to capture the imagination," says Tim Stimpson, a former national team player who will captain one of the teams. "We were sort of crazy enough to think that playing rugby at the North Pole would be fun."

The entire expedition, named the Arctic Rugby Challenge, was created to raise money for the Wooden Spoon, a charity that supports disadvantaged and disabled children. Each player is expected to raise 50,000 British pounds, or nearly $100,000 Canadian dollars. Half of that total will cover the cost of the trip, with the other half going to the Wooden Spoon.

The trip itself is expected to take 21 days. The group will fly into Resolute Bay, Nunavut, spend a few days getting acclimatized, and then begin the hike to the North Pole. Once there, they will construct a rugby pitch, be joined by a planeload of sponsors, and play the match.

Stimpson says that the biggest issue for the group during the hike north will likely be the temperature, though they have been warned against sweating from overexertion and "a little thing called a polar bear."

"We're hopeful that they won't get to close to us and we can avoid each other," he says. "Hopefully we can co-exist in harmony."

Although the players may be new to Arctic temperatures and surroundings, Stimpson says that they will be well taken care of, boasting state of the art winter gear. The expedition will also be led by Jock Wishart, an international adventurer who was part of the first group to walk unsupported to the magnetic North Pole in 1992.

"It's a real step into the unknown," says Stimpson. "We've got to put all our faith in our guides. We have to look after each other. We've got to come back in one piece. But obviously the journey, and the pressure we put us under will teach us things that we probably take for granted."

Although Stimpson is confident about the group's chances, he says that the home reaction to his upcoming journey has been a mixed one.

"I think my mom, and various people that love me, think that I'm a bit crazy and wish I wasn't doing it," he says. "But it's a bit like when I was playing rugby. They just have to wish me the best, and hope I come home safe."

The group is scheduled to leave for Resolute Bay on April 15.