JoiningJack goes twitter mad!

Hello everybody, How's your week going?

The Joiningjack campaign really has gathered some huge momentum over the last week. Wherever you go people seem to be talking about the charity and that is exactly what we wanted. The Rugby League community really has come together to spread the word and this is just the beginning. More fundraising events will be getting announced soon that will be very exciting to be apart of. It is so important that we take as much workload off Andy and Alex as possible so that they can spend quality time with Jack.

On Monday of this week, we took the Wigan team to Manchester for a feed at a popular restaurant called Bem Brasil. It is a Brazilian steakhouse in which you can eat as much as you like. You load up your plate with salad and veg and then sit there as the waiters come and shave different cuts of meat onto your plate. It's a heavy feed which requires you to spend the afternoon on the couch after to recover. It was bank holiday but they don't really exist in Rugby League but we only did half a day nonetheless. The entire squad and staff made the trip and it was good to spend time together away from the office.

One player, Tom Spencer, came prepared in his Joey Tribiani thanksgiving pants. There was no way he was leaving that restaurant without getting his monies worth (even though he didn't pay), he really tested the elastic on his grey marl tracksuit bottoms!

As this was a social event, the guys are encouraged to get out of the 'Superman' suit and wear casual clothes. It is always interesting to see what the boys turn up in. The majority go for a safe option of classic jeans and t-shirt but there are others who push the boundaries a little, by others I mean Josh Charnley. As you can see from the attached photo, it takes a brave man to wear pants of that colour. I admire his fashion bravery but that look is not for me. If anyone is interested in purchasing some similar pants, you can buy them on the website www.youmustbedafttowearthesepants.com.

Poor Wagga broke his arm playing rugby last week. It never broke his spirit though. He really is a popular character around the game, you can see that by the number of different players from different teams that sent him messages on Twitter wishing him well.
Even though he was in pain, he still managed to post pictures from hospital and of his x-rays and then coming out of surgery!!! The force is strong in this kid. He makes everybody smile….Keep strong Wags, the world loves ya!!!

I could never have imagined the whirlwind that I created by posting on Twitter that I would give a prize for the best celeb retweeter of JoiningJack. So much credit must be given to you, the people who are helping to raise awareness for the campaign.

We have gone worldwide people and no celebrity is out of reach in the digital age. There were many candidates for the winner. F1 superstar Felipe Massa, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Shakin Stevens, Diedre Barlow, Robbie Fowler, Hulk Hogan, Carl Weathers (AKA Apollo Creed "Now, when we fought, you had that eye of the tiger, man; the edge! And now you gotta get it back, and the way to get it back is to go back to the beginning" ROCKY III)

(Rads loves the Rocky movies, may have to wrestle the wife after writing this !!!!) and many more stars….. But the winner had to be The Rock, Dwayne Johnson...The wrestling superstar. Not only has he got 2.8 million followers, he actually personalised the message saying ….''Stay strong big man, you inspire us''…. That quote is going to get put onto t-shirts and sold on joiningjack.org… Congratulations to AndyRock13 (who is actually in Australia, proving that the message is spreading) for getting one of the worlds biggest stars. My last jersey will be in the post to you my friend (will cost me a fortune in P&P, cheers!)

Cycling is very popular across England recently and the bug has bitten the Warriors coaching staff. Coach Harris, Coach Deacon, Mind Coach Farrell, Corporal Turner and former player Andy Coley who is now on the Warriors staff fulfilling various roles, can all be seen squeezing into tight fitting lycra, not a pretty sight. Fair play to the guys though, they are really racking up the miles. Its a great way to burn off calories and also generate team spirit within the staff. They have even given themselves a team name, 'The Road Warriors'. I think it's great. They will be announcing some rides shortly that people will be able to be a part of, all for Joiningjack. I am going to get some official cycling wear designed (that actually fits the boys ), with the charity logo on. (any corporate sponsors would be sensational). I am really tempted to get myself a bike as I am feeling left out. There is even a rumour that Coach Wane fancies a go (the seat will need to be as big as a dustbin lid though!!!). E-mail with any enquiries to radders13@gmail.com.

I would also like to thank Stuart and his team down at BD2 in Wigan for giving up so much time in designing and controlling the website. You have been amazing for Andy and Alex and I know that they are eternally grateful.

Speak soon guys and gals!

Rads