A CHARITY Under 19s match between Kings Norton RFC and Bromsgrove RFC will be held to celebrate the life and rugby career of Harry Bennett who died at the age of 16 after a short illness.

The clash – tomorrow evening, Friday, May 27, at Kings Norton Rugby Club, Ash Lane, Hopwood – will raise funds for HB9 – The Harry Bennett Foundation.

Prior to the main match there will be a Girls 7s Tag Challenge, being contested by Ruby’s Red Stars, Jamie’s All Black Stars and Zoe’s Bib Stars.

The Harry Bennett Trophy Match will then be held at 7.15pm.

Kings Norton captain Matthew Moseley. s

Ascott’s will be providing a pig roast, there will be ‘The Starting Gate’ Cocktail Bar, a raffle and Bennett’s Boots and an HB9 merchandise stall.

Live music will be performed by Pete Harrington and there will be a bar until late.

Harry, who attended South Bromsgrove High School, joined Bromsgrove’s Under 6s where coaches immediately recognised his talent.

In a moving tribute – the managers of Bromsgrove RFC (Russ Draycott) and Kings Norton RFC (Andy Moseley) – described him as a ‘cheeky, quick-witted, brave beyond his years’, as well as ‘talented’.

“We knew straight away who would own the number 9 shirt.

“What was also obvious immediately was that Harry could inspire others.

“He had a huge character and could get any dressing room going.”

Season after season Harry was one of the most consistent performers and never seemed to let the big occasion get to him.

“All of us remember him tackling people three times his size and he’d always get up with that quiet determination to do it again.

Harry captained the side on many occasions through several successful seasons, always joyful and proud as he displayed trophies.

After nine seasons with Bromsgrove, he moved to local rivals Kings Norton.

Harry was selected to represent Worcestershire U14s and was also part of the Worcester Warriors Developing Player Pathway.

Harry’s first appearance in a Kings Norton Rhinos shirt came at the Abergavenny Under 15s festival in April 2018.

The pair added he must have enjoyed his appearance and playing with a number of school mates as he made the switch to become an Under 16s member and the squad went onto become North Midlands Champions.

Harry played in 27 out of 28 games and captained the side in one of those matches, winning 19, scoring one try and kicking 35 conversions to earn a total 75 points for

the team that season.

“He bought with him the same cheeky smile, commitment, talent and incomparable sense of fun.”

The following season, 2019-20 Harry played in 12 matches, scoring three tries and kicking eight conversions and a penalty, a 34-point tally.

He was Man of the match in a fixture against Shrewsbury Colts and kicked eight out ofnine conversions in one match – still a Kings Norton RFC club record.

Harry’s last match was a win against Dudley Kingswinford at Hopwood Park on December 22, 2019.

The pair concluded their tribute, saying: “He left behind so many memories. Although we remember the talent and the incredible bravery, what every player and coach really remembers is a larger than life character, brimming with fun and mischief who could put a smile on your face.”

HB9 – Helping people through the power of sport

HB9 was set up in Harry’s memory to give individuals and teams the help and support they need to benefit from the full physical and mental benefits sport provides.

Whether it is playing, taking part or watching, the charity’s aim is to give everyone who wants help that support they need.

HB9 helps ensure all ages – from children to adults can enjoy the life-changing benefits of sport, help realise sporting dreams b supplying funding for equipment and training to start new clubs and teams.

It also provides one-off payments or ongoing support through scholarship-style funding, helps people who find themselves in hardship – through mental or physical ill health or financial strain – to achieve respite through sport.

And it pays for the beneficial sporting experiences that would not have otherwise been available to people – for example seeing their favourite team at Wembley or Twickenham.

Organisations which have benefited so far include Meadow Park, Fairfield First School, Rigby Hall School, Bromsgrove Rugby Club, Kings Norton Rugby Club, Bromsgrove Cricket Club, Bromsgrove Swimming Club and Catshill Football Club.