Page 14 - Real Rochdale Issue 16 Winter 2022

weeks from my first visit I had passed army
carl abraham
Carl Abraham is the founder of
the Rochdale Masters Rugby
League team, a non-competitive
side for anyone over the age of 35
which trains weekly at Rochdale
Mayfield and Soccer Factory
through the winter months.
He has been chosen to play for
the England Masters in this year’s
Rugby League World Cup Festival
on 13 November in York.
Carl told us: “The aim of Rochdale
Masters is purely sociable and gets
people back into grassroots sport.
I didn’t want it to be affiliated with
any club, so it’s open to anyone from
the borough with no club rivalry or
history.
“We get small grants to help run the
club, but the money we raise from
player subs goes into a charity pot
for the end of the season. This time,
we’re putting the money back into
the Mayfield youth teams.”
Having reached the most senior soldier rank of Warrant Officer Class One in the British Army, Carl
retired from the military in 2019 after just over 24 years of service, having enlisted straight from high
school in September 1995.
Whilst serving in the UK, the army veteran would return home at weekends and stand-down periods
to represent Rochdale Mayfield. The 43-year-old father of three grew up playing rugby from a young
age, starting the sport representing local side Spotland Rangers before retiring from playing first
team rugby in 2012 after the birth of his youngest son Isaac.
During his time in the forces Carl represented various regiments, The Corps of Royal Engineers and
the British Army. Although both his parents were ex-military, he says this did not influence his career.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t really like school, so I didn’t want to go to college. I saw
the ‘Army be the Best’ advert in the local paper and enquired at the local Army Careers Office. Four
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022 14
selection, been accepted into the Corps of Royal
Engineers and had been issued a start date to my
new career.”
On retiring, Carl set up Rochdale Masters in
2021 before quickly taking over the reins of the
Masters Veterans team, a group of
Veterans within the Masters community that
come together to commemorate poignant
events through the military calendar year.
He was nominated for the England Masters side
this summer, after leaving the decision up to the
club’s committee.
“Each masters club has to nominate one player, Carl also coaches the Hornets Wheelchair team,
and you can only play for an age group once,” he and has run wheelchair rugby sessions at
explained. “The team is made up of all ages Redwood School.
because it’s non-competitive. You don’t
necessarily have to be the best player to be He recalled: “There was one girl who required
chosen!” the use of a wheelchair, and her face lit up when
I brought all these other wheelchairs out for the
In addition to the Masters RL World Cup other students. It was then that I realised how
Festival in November, Carl is also looking inclusive it can be, and helps create a pathway
forward to welcoming the Canadian Masters to for people with disabilities to become involved.”
Rochdale in early November but admitted he’s
mainly looking forward to the annual veterans’ “I’m only able to do what I do because I’m retired.
fixture where veterans from all over the My wife said I needed to find something to do
country come to Rochdale in a fixture to that I enjoyed. It allows me to do the school run
commemorate Remembrance Day. and watch my youngest play football – although
he’s becoming more interested in rugby now.
“I jumped at the chance when the Masters
committee asked if we were interested in “I’m very fortunate and proud to do what I do
hosting the Canadian team: it’s a big deal to and provide a platform for so many in what I
host an international team in the borough. enjoy.”
Rochdale Masters was chosen because the
Canadian side are staying in the North West and If you’re interested in getting involved in any of
needed a fixture before attending the the programmes, please contact Carl on
international festival’.’ carl.abraham@hornetsrugbyleague.com
After the success of his Masters work, Carl was
approached by the Rochdale Hornets
Sporting Foundation, and together they’ve
created a schools’ programme that has
recently provided 10 local primary schools with
five weeks of free coaching and the chance for
the schools to play in two festivals. The children
this time also had the opportunity to be present
at the England/Fiji friendly match on 7 October
and take part by being matchday mascots, flag
bearers and playing on the pitch at half-time as
part of the Bula Rochdale programme.
Carl playing for Rochdale Masters
15 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022