World’s largest scrum to be held at Cathedral Catholic June 9 to benefit injured player

Ronan Nelson, 16, a sophomore student at Cathedral Catholic High School was critically injured in a club rugby game on April 7. He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where surgery was performed to repair his broken neck.

Subsequent strokes from blood clots formed from the injury, which caused health issues. Ronan was eventually transferred to Sharp Memorial Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation, where he continues his effort to regain normal function.

The Cathedral Catholic High School (www.cathedralcatholic.org) community and the Coastal Dragons Rugby Club (www.coastaldragonsrugby.com) along with Serevi rugby (www.serevirugby.com ) have teamed up to raise funds to help support Ronan’s rehabilitation.

On Saturday, June 9, an event, titled the “Team Ronan Rugby Challenge” will be held at Cathedral Catholic High School, 5555 Del Mar Heights Road, 92130, from 3-6 p.m. The event will feature an attempt to break the world record for the largest scrum (840 students) on March 30, 2012 by Belfast’s (Northern Ireland) Ravenhill Royal Academy.

The June 9, 2012 event at Cathedral Catholic includes an exhibition game by USA Rugby Eagles 7s players, San Diego State University rugby players, and Cathedral Catholic High School rugby players. Autographs, food, rugby gear and other rugby related activities will also be available on site. The USA Eagles players, along with key athletes from X-Game exhibition sports, will be on hand to sign autographs.

Entry fee for the event is $10 and includes access to all exhibitions and events. All proceeds will benefit the Team Ronan Recovery Fund. Participants can register for the event at www.wepay/events/team-ronan-rugby-challenge.