Rugby players from Kendal are among a strong Cumbria Wooden Spoon Rams squad travelling to Tynedale Rugby Club this Saturday for Vets Fest 2026, a veterans tournament combining competitive rugby with fundraising for children’s charity Wooden Spoon.

The squad brings together players from clubs across Cumbria, including Aspatria, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Creighton, Kendal, Keswick, Kirkby Lonsdale, Penrith, Wigton and Workington Zebras. The broad representation means Kendal will be part of a county-wide team competing against veterans sides from across the country.

A demanding Pool A schedule

The Rams have been placed in Pool A, where they face West Midlands, Scotland A, Northumberland, Scotland B and Kent during the day. Their fixtures are scheduled to begin in the morning and continue into the afternoon:

  • 10am: Cumbria v West Midlands
  • 11am: Cumbria v Scotland A
  • 1.10pm: Cumbria v Northumberland
  • 2.10pm: Cumbria v Scotland B
  • 3.10pm: Kent v Cumbria

Cumbria Rams captain Chris Wright described the draw as tough, but said the event reflected the purpose of the team: bringing people from the Cumbrian rugby community together, enjoying the sport and supporting a wider cause.

“Vets Fest is exactly what the Cumbria Rams are about — bringing Cumbrian rugby people together, pulling on the shirt and having a great time, but always with a bigger purpose behind it.”

Fundraising continues through the weekend

The Rams’ campaign has involved players and supporters from across Cumbria, with fundraising continuing throughout the Vets Fest weekend. The team has thanked clubs, players, sponsors, businesses, friends and families who have supported the campaign.

Support has included donations, fundraising events, raffle-ticket purchases, sharing the campaign and encouraging the players. The Rams said they are now on course for a record-breaking fundraising total, although no figure was provided in the source material.

Money raised will support Wooden Spoon, described by the Rams as the children’s charity of rugby. The charity’s purpose, according to the captain, is to help give children and young people opportunities through rugby.

For the Cumbria squad, Saturday’s tournament is therefore about more than the results. It is also intended to represent pride in Cumbria, pride in the Rams shirt and the chance to support children through the sport.