A boy who was trolled on Facebook for being 'too big' to play for his under-12s rugby team has received an incredible outpouring of support from some of the world's biggest rugby stars.
Young player Alfie, who plays for Oakdale RFC in Caerphilly, Wales, was targeted by an 'idiotic' online troll as a result of his weight, according to a tweet published over the weekend by his father Mark.
Mark Pugsley's tweet read: 'Had to remove a post from Facebook as an idiot commented saying my boy is too 'big' to play under 12s and isn't healthy. If only people knew how hard he works to get fitter and how low his confidence has been. Don't worry Alfie I'll always be your biggest fan.'
The loving father's frustrated outburst was quickly met with messages of love and support from social media users, but Alfie's plight went viral and attracted the attention of some of rugby's true greats.
Now, Alfie has received an incredible outpouring of support and inspirational messages from the likes of Double World Cup winner Jerome Kaino of New Zealand, World Cup winning loosehead prop Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira of South Africa, and former England and British and Irish Lions prop Alex Corbisiero, to name a few.
Plenty of famous Welshmen from the world of rugby, including Wales' lightning winger Louis-Rees Zammit, fullback Liam Williams, former rugby union and league star Jonathan Davies, and legendary referee Nigel Owens also extended their support.
Mark Pugsley's tweet read: 'Had to remove a post from Facebook as an idiot commented saying my boy is too 'big' to play under 12s and isn't healthy. If only people knew how hard he works to get fitter and how low his confidence has been. Don't worry Alfie I'll always be your biggest fan.'
Young player Alfie, who plays for Oakdale RFC in Caerphilly, Wales, was targeted by an 'idiotic' online troll as a result of his weight, according to a tweet published over the weekend by his father Mark
World Cup winning loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira, known as 'The Beast' for his incredible size, responded: 'Big fella you have my support. I walked this road too once upon a time when people silently bullied me about my size and questioned whether I was the correct age for my age group.'
All Blacks two-time World Cup winner Jerome Kaino wrote: 'Hey Alfie, you keep having loads of fun & working hard mate, our beautiful game is for ALL genders, people from ALL walks of life & also ALL shapes & sizes, keep that smile on your face brother & keep up the awesome work.'
Alex Corbisiero, former loosehead prop for England and the British and Irish Lions, even shared a picture of himself as a young player on the larger side with a message of support. 'Hi Mark, please show this to Alfie, I heard very similar things when I was younger, Alfie keep working hard, you will have the last laugh and I promise this experience will make you a better person later in your life. Keep smiling,' he wrote.
World Cup winning loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira, known as 'The Beast' for his incredible size, responded: 'Big fella you have my support. I walked this road too once upon a time when people silently bullied me about my size and questioned whether I was the correct age for my age group. Keep your head high and never let the haters get to you. The game of rugby is for all.'
All Blacks two-time World Cup
