Former Rugby Coach Gets Special Visit From Huddersfield Giants

Two first team players, prop Thomas Burgess and forward Harry Rushton, made the visit to see Albert “Bert” Mackay, 78, who lives at Aden View Care Home, on Perseverance Street, Primrose Hill.

In a separate visit, Giants assistant coach Leroy Cudjoe also dropped in to see Bert, as they have known each other for many years.

Bert trained Leroy at the start of his playing career, during his time with the Huddersfield district representative side. He is one of many players coached by Bert throughout his rugby career, having also worked with future Giants legend Michael Lawrence when he first started playing rugby at Newsome Panthers.

Bert began playing the sport himself at 16, when he joined the Army, and continued even while serving overseas, in Germany, as part of the second British Army of the Rhine.

After leaving the armed forces in his early twenties, he played amateur level rugby at Huddersfield RLFC’s former Fartown ground, as well as for Britannia Works and Paddock rugby clubs, until he was 59, when he switched focus to coaching.

Despite dementia and many years passing since coaching Leroy, Bert immediately recognised him when he entered Aden View Care Home.

Bert’s wife, Hazel, said: “He said, “oh it’s Leroy,” as soon as he walked in the room.”

Leroy talked to Bert about those he coached over the years, while players Thomas Burgess and Harry Rushton threw passes to him with a gifted ball during their visit.

In addition to the visits, The Huddersfield Giants Community Trust also arranged for Bert to attend the club’s recent match against York City Knights – which the Giants won 34-14.

He was given VIP treatment throughout the afternoon, including watching from a box and a visit to the players’ lounge, where he met several members of the team.

He was joined at the match by his wife, Hazel, and fellow Giants supporter and Aden View Care Home care assistant, Anthony Blair.

Hazel said: “It’s amazing what the staff do for the residents at Aden View Care Home. This was really special for Albert. Thank you to Aden View and the Huddersfield Giants for making a really special day.”

Leroy said: “I’ve known Bert for a long time. He coached Michael Lawrence’s team at Newsome Panthers, a year or two below me, and also coached me during my time with the Huddersfield district representative side.

“So, when his wife Hazel reached out, I was more than happy to go and visit him at Aden View Care Home. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with Bert and, hopefully, I put a smile on his face.

Kim Mckay, home manager at Aden View Care Home, said: “It was such a great day, all provided by the Huddersfield Giants.

“Listening to Bert’s wife, Hazel, and watching her talk about how special this has been for Bert makes everything worthwhile. You could see in her expressions how thrilled she was that Bert experienced this.

“Making memories that will be cherished forever should not stop when someone comes to live at a care home. Even small things can mean the whole world to others. This experience with the Giants was no small thing for Bert and Hazel and it was amazing to be part of it.”