Gummerson ready for PDRL World Cup

The World Cup is set to take over over the coming months, and the PDRL game is no different. England PDRL are set to take on the World’s best in this form of Rugby League and within that side will be Nick Kennedy and Mark Gummerson of the Castleford Tigers PDRL team. 

Mark spoke to ctrlfc.com ahead of the tournament and an experience that he can’t wait to be a part of. 

“It’s massive for me. I never thought I’d play the sport competitively, never mind being called up to an England squad for a World Cup. I’m really pleased to be in the position I'm in.” 

“When I found out there was to be a PDRL squad, I registered my interest, and went for an assessment where they classified me”. I was then selected for a extended training squad and was picked by the head coach. It blew me away, I couldn’t believe it.” 

For those not familiar with the game and classification system, Mark spoke openly about which class he will be in within the squad, and gives more of an insight as to how each team taking the field will be structured ones players take the field. 

“In the international game there’s three classifications. A being the least disabled, and C being the most. I was given Class C because of my condition. It’s effectively brain damage and it affects my limbs so that’s why they’ve put me in C. You’ve got to have a certain amount of each class on the field at any one time. 

“I love the thought of being around the International stage with a lot of publicity for the PDRL game and getting more people involved. We’re showcasing the skill involved in the PDRL game.” 

Mark also spoke of his gratitude to the Castleford Tigers Foundation for all of their hard work, while also telling of how he found out about the PDRL game all those years ago. 

“The Foundation have been massive for me. I’ve only ever been at Castleford Tigers. I’ve never been anywhere else or played for anyone else. I started when Andy Lynch was coaching. I went up to a masters training session at Kippax Welfare. He could tell by the way I was moving around the field that there was something wrong. He just told me about the PDRL game, so I went down and played and it took off from there. They’ve been massive for me and getting me recognised as a player.” 

Mark won’t be alone at the tournament. His Castleford Tigers team mate Nick Kennedy will also be involved in the England setup having also been picked. This is something that Mark cannot wait for. 

“Playing with Nick Kennedy will be huge. We know each other and we know how each other plays, so we can gel.” 

To get himself to the World Cup, Mark needs to raise £500 to help with the cost involved as the game comes under the England Lions Community Game, so funding is limited, but any donation and/or sponsorship would mean a great deal to Mark. 

“Any donation that anyone can give me would be massive. It goes towards accommodation for the time we’re in camp, and towards kit and equipment. Any donation would be huge. Without those things I can’t play, so I would like to give a huge thank you in advance to anyone that can and does donate.” 

If anyone would like to donate to help get Mark Gummerson to the World Cup or sponsor him  for the tournament, you can do so by emailing matlancaster@castigers.com. 

We wish both Mark and Nick all the very best for the upcoming tournament from all at Castleford Tigers.