Making a Difference with the Annual Slater Cup

On Saturday 28th March, the highly anticipated annual Slater Cup match took place between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers at Villa Park for the first time - a fixture that was created in honour of former Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers player Ed Slater, after his diagnosis with MND in 2022.

Before the match, England legends Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby) and Martin Johnson CBE (Leicester Tigers), along with former players from both sides, went head-to-head in a cycle race to help raise further money and awareness for those living with Motor Neurone Disease. They raced approximately 45 miles from their respective home stadiums (Kingsholm and Welford Road) to Villa Park, with Leicester riding to victory after a close race.

More importantly, over £36,000 has been raised so far, with 50% of the proceeds going to the 4ED Foundation (part of Gloucester Rugby Foundation), and the remaining 50% going to former Leicester Tigers and England World Cup winner, Lewis Moody and his chosen charity.

From ideation of the race itself, to player interviews in the build-up, a one-off media day at Villa Park, behind-the-scenes content and live broadcast reporting from the race and the finish line, MatchFit played a key role in building momentum and telling the story of The Slater Cup.