Super League joins forces with Prostate Cancer UK charity in a bid to get men to talk about their health

Ahead of the new Super League season, things are changing at one of the pubs near to the Widnes ground, writes Sky Sports' Fraser Dainton.

As Vikings fans head for a pre-match pint before the opening game with Wigan, they’ll notice their local has been re-branded, and now bears the name “The Men United Arms”.

It’s all the idea of the Prostate Cancer UK charity. The plan is that men who would normally just talk about Rugby League in the pub, are encouraged to talk about their health too. 

Vikings fan David Douse, 58, was diagnosed with the disease nearly two years ago - it came as a shock.

“I had no idea. I went out on a Friday night, had a few pints, then at about six o’clock in the morning I got up to go to the toilet, and I just couldn’t pass water at all. I went to hospital, had a PSA test - it came back at a hundred and sixteen - it’s meant to be below three for a guy of my age!”

Once the diagnosis was given, David was keen to make sure other men were aware they can get checked.

“I went on my Facebook page and told my friends and colleagues that if you’re over 50 you’re entitled to a Prostate Specific Antigen test. They’ve all had it - and they’ve all come back clean, so that’s great, and I’ve helped people.”

David was joined in the pub by the two Head Coaches whose sides will meet in the first game of the new season on Thursday night - Widnes boss Dennis Betts, and Wigan’s Shaun Wane.

The Warriors boss said: “The initiative they’re trying to deliver is outstanding. It’s something I wasn’t aware of in great detail, so it’s something I will be speaking to people at the Warriors about, and the players, because it’s important that you get yourself checked, and look after your health.”

Betts agrees that in a sport with such a macho image, concern for your well-being is often forgotten about.

“You don’t really talk enough about your health as a man. It’s something that you push back. We need to make sure people know this is important - exceptionally important - one in eight men get prostate cancer," he said.

"If we can talk about this, if we can save some lives because of it, that’s the good of Rugby League, the good of the game, and good for men that work in any environment.”

The two coaches are happy to chat and share a drink now, but things will be very different come Thursday night.

Widnes have been a model of steady progress, and having finished in the play-off’s last season for the first time in their history, Betts is keen to keep getting better.

“Our lads have been chomping at the bit," he said. "When Wigan were playing in the Grand Final, we were back in pre-season training, as we’d left the competition a bit early last year.

“The lads are ready to go, it’s an exciting new era, and the honour that we’ve got of playing Wigan and launching Super League is not lost on our players.”  

Wigan have been made the favourites to win the competition - a tag that doesn’t sit well on Wanes’ shoulders.

“It doesn’t mean anything to me what external people think of our club. The players are one hundred percent aware that the competition is going to be very intense, and there’s no place tougher than Widnes to come.

“They’re well coached, they’ve got some great players, and they’re very tough to beat at home. We know the challenge ahead, and whether we’re favourites or not, every game is must win. We have to turn up, train hard and deliver every weekend.”