CONNACHT’S SENIOR SQUAD returned to pre-season training on Monday morning and some may be regretting early summer-time excesses and holiday indulgences.
Others will have embraced the rigour and routine fully and asked for more. For that rare breed, Connacht forward George Naoupu has just the fitness challenge to pique their interest.
Naoupu, and his wife, Sene, are backing a charity fundraiser, We’re Planking It, which will take place in Galway this evening. The pair have joined forces with five charities to organise a Guinness World Record attempt at Galwegians RFC’s grounds.
The goal is to get more than 250 people to hold the abdominal plank position — a popular Pilates and yoga move — for 60 seconds. The fundraising challenge will feature Galway hurler Ollie Canning, TG4 presenter Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill, Connacht captain John Muldoon and every teammate Naoupu can lay a hand on. Naoupu told TheScore.ie:
Myself and Sene have got involved in a number of charity initiatives since we arrived in Galway and had an idea that a big event would be the best way to help all five groups. We are looking for as many people possible to come along, learn how to plank, give it a try or cheer on those taking part. It promises to be a fun evening, with lots of the Connacht lads sticking about for tag rugby and penalty shoot-outs.”
Connacht veteran Michael Swift has pledged his support to the event but has yet to confirm whether he will be one of the [hopeful] record breakers. He remarked, “I have trouble enough holding the plank position for six seconds, never mind 60. I’m happy to help out any way I can but I hope they don’t blame me if I bring the whole attempt crashing down.”
*The event takes place from 6-9pm at Galwegians RFC and will raise vital funds for COPE Galway, ACT for Meningitis, Special Olympics, Irish Heart Foundation and Self Help Africa. For more information visit the fundraiser’s Facebook page.
