Two world records. 28 hours of non-stop rugby. Over £69,600 raised (and counting) to tackle mental health in rugby.
What started as an ambitious idea became something far bigger.
Across 28 incredible hours at Sandbach RUFC, hundreds of players, volunteers, officials, physios, partners and supporters came together to attempt something never seen before – the longest continuous games of men’s and women’s rugby sevens ever played.
Together, they completed the challenge, setting provisional new Guinness World Records of 28 hours for both the men’s and women’s games, surpassing the previous men’s benchmark of 24 hours and 30 minutes. The records now await formal verification from Guinness World Records.
But while history may have been made on the pitch, the biggest victory was always off it.
More than £69,600 has already been raised to support LooseHeadz’s mission to place a mental health champion in every rugby club in the world, helping ensure that no player, coach, volunteer or supporter has to struggle alone.
The challenge brought together an incredible rugby community. Forty-eight players pushed themselves through day and night, supported by an army of volunteers, match officials, medics, physios and supporters who kept the event moving every minute of the 28-hour challenge.
The event also welcomed some familiar faces from across the game, including former England international, British & Irish Lion and friend of LooseHeadz, George Kruis, while coaching teams were led by former England Sevens captain and World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips and former Ireland International Anna Caplice, alongside Fiji internationals Niko Matawalu and Vereniki Goneva.
Former England international George Kruis said:
“Being part of LooseHeadz’ 24/7s challenge was one of the toughest but most rewarding rugby experiences I’ve ever had.
“You could feel the purpose behind every minute, and while we were chasing a world record, more importantly, we were raising awareness for mental health in our sport.
“The atmosphere at Sandbach, on and off the pitch, was unbelievable and it showed the power of community rugby.”
LooseHeadz Co-Founder Rob Shotton said:
“Attempting two new world records is an incredible achievement, but what stands out most is the collective effort it took to get there.
“From the players grinding through the early hours to the officials, team managers, physios, volunteers and supporters who never stopped cheering, 24/7s has shown exactly what the rugby community can do when it comes together.
“Every pass, tackle and step taken over those many hours helps us raise vital funds and keep pushing our mission to place a mental health champion in every rugby club in the world.”
Powered by Purpose
24/7s would not have been possible without the support of our Official Headline Partner, JAECOO, whose commitment helped power the event both literally and figuratively.
Gary Lan, CEO of OMODA&JAECOO UK, said:
“As the UK’s fastest-growing automotive brand, JAECOO was proud to support LooseHeadz’s 24/7s Guinness World Record attempt – powering a sauna and ice bath pitch side through our vehicle-to-load technology, while participants relaxed in the JAECOO 8 SHS-P Executive’s heated, ventilated, massaging seats between sessions.”
Alongside JAECOO, an incredible team of partners helped make 24/7s happen, providing everything from kit, hydration and nutrition to recovery equipment and player welfare. Their support ensured every participant had what they needed to keep going throughout one of rugby’s toughest endurance challenges.
More Than a World Record
Last summer, we made history with the longest continuous games of men’s and women’s rugby union.
This year, we pushed even further with rugby sevens.
But 24/7s was never just about breaking records.
Every minute played helped raise awareness, spark conversations and fund our mission to place a mental health champion in every rugby club around the world.
To everyone who played, coached, refereed, volunteered, partnered with us, donated, cheered from the sidelines or followed online – thank you.
This is your achievement.
Donations remain open, and every contribution helps ensure nobody in rugby has to face poor mental health alone.
World Records Are Great. Saving Lives Is Better.
The final whistle has blown, but our mission hasn’t.
Mental health is 24/7, and together we’ll keep tackling stigma, supporting one another and building a game where everyone knows it’s okay to ask for help.
Keep talking. Keep listening. Keep showing up for each other.
