If there’s one team that sums up what grassroots rugby is all about, it’s Jurassic Porks.

Based in Dorset, Jurassic Porks exists to give people the chance to play rugby, regardless of club, background or ability. They’ve created an environment where everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted and everyone can be themselves.

As they put it:

“Mental health doesn’t have to be a crisis, worst-case scenario or an awkward conversation using clinical buzzwords.”

Sometimes it’s as simple as getting active, connecting with teammates and knowing you’ve got people around you. That’s what rugby does best.

Despite only being around a short time, the Jurassic Porks have already made a habit of upsetting the odds. They’ve (accidentally) won the Lytchett 7s Plate, picked up silverware at the Richmond Summer Social and claimed victories over teams including the Royal Navy Stingrays and Exeter University.

Co-founder Ed Martin explains why it all started:

“We started this because we felt there was a lack of space in our local community where people from different clubs could come together, be unapologetically themselves and have fun. It’s about creating bonds across the generations, from young to old, while being an important cause so close to many within the group.”

We’re incredibly grateful that Jurassic Porks have already raised almost £500 for LooseHeadz. Unfortunately, the British summer has had other ideas, with three of their four fundraising tournaments turning into complete monsoons.

Next stop: PorkFest

Their biggest fundraiser of the year is PorkFest, a charity rugby festival supporting LooseHeadz.

On 8 August at Puddletown RFC, nestled in the heart of Dorset, LooseHeadz RFC will take on Jurassic Porks and Dorset & Wilts Women. The women will make history by playing the first-ever county fixture at the club.

But PorkFest is about much more than the rugby.

Expect live music from bands travelling from Cardiff and London, appearances from local rugby heroes including current Scarlets and Wales international Harri O’Connor, plus great partners like Blindside Box and VX3.

There’ll be plenty of food too – from pizzas and an ice cream van to what every event called PorkFest should have… a proper hog roast.

It’s a genuine rugby festival, and something Dorset doesn’t often get to host. Two exhibition matches, live music, brilliant rugby people and a chance to celebrate everything that’s great about our game.

Rugby bringing people together

Already, nearly 40 different rugby clubs from across the UK will be represented at PorkFest – and the numbers keep growing.

Players are travelling from as far north as Falkirk, across to Canterbury, down from Lancashire and the Midlands, alongside plenty of local clubs from across the South West. It’s exactly what Jurassic Porks set out to create: rugby people coming together for something bigger than the game itself.

Support LooseHeadz

At its heart, PorkFest is a fundraiser for LooseHeadz.

The simplest way to support is by buying a ticket. Every ticket helps raise vital funds, while also helping the organisers plan for the day by giving vendors and Puddletown RFC a better idea of numbers.

Whether you’re playing, supporting or just fancy a great day of rugby, music and good people, we’d love to see you there.

Grab your tickets using the link below or head to Jurassic Porks’ social media for more information.