A J Gilbert (left) and Cam Crawford wearing the jerseys they will play in on Red Heart Rugby Day this Saturday against Sydney University.

by Kara Wansbury, Heart Research Australia –

Norths Rugby Club and Heart Research Australia collaborate for heart disease research

This Saturday’s Shute Shield match at North Sydney Oval is a crucial one for eighth-placed Norths against second-placed Sydney University, and the fourth annual charity match raising funds for Heart Research Australia. During the match seven Australians will suffer a heart attack across the nation. A sobering thought for 1st Grade back rower and Waratahs player AJ Gilbert.

“It’s been an on-going partnership for the last four years. In Norths our mantra is to better the person, to better the player, to better the community and having Heart Research Australia just up the road from our club is a fitting association but the other aspect is that so many people are affected by heart disease every year; it’s our biggest killer in Australia,” he said.

In a one-off jersey design highlighting Heart Research Australia’s community fundraising motto ‘I love life’ the team is hoping to beat the University side in order to remain in the top eight, four weeks out from finals. Suffering a 28-point loss last time the two teams clashed in round six, the Shoremen are confident of a quality rematch with the return of their Super Rugby team mates.

“Every game against Sydney University is a big one, they are always the benchmark in this competition. With all their representative players back for this game it will be quality football and in the lead up to the finals, we need this game to qualify,” said AJ.

“In training we have been focusing on us; critiquing the little things that we haven’t been doing so well at and the good stuff we have been doing too. We have been reviewing the game we played on the weekend; Souths were last year’s finalists against Sydney Uni so again it was a good match to come into.

“Playing against Sydney Uni, not many people expect you to win just because of the calibre of the team, but if you are not quietly confident in your team mates then you shouldn’t be playing,” he said.

Red Heart Rugby Day will be held at North Sydney Oval with gates open from 10:30am. $5 from every ticket sold donated to Heart Research Australia. Bring the kids for face painting, a jumping castle and a BBQ lunch. 1st Grade kick-off is at 3:00pm.