Home > Active Ostomates > Team Colostomy UK Rugby League > Rugby League stories > My first game series > Looking forward to my first game! – Nathan

Nathan MacKenzie will make his Team Colotomy UK debut on April 3rd against York Lokos. This is how he got there after stoma surgery

“I started playing Rugby union when I was 14 years old for my high school, and Clwb Rygbi Abergele whom I still play for today.

“When I got diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis I was still playing rugby, but when it became more difficult every time my Colitis flared.

In 2016 I had stoma surgery and, I instantly stopped playing rugby because I didn’t think I’d be able to due to my bag.

Then in December 2019, Gio reached out to me regarding playing for Team Colostomy UK. I then started training back with Clwb Rygbi Abergele. I remember feeling so apprehensive about taking contact and getting tackled,  I kept checking my bag to make sure it wasn’t leaking or hadn’t popped! I do wear a stoma guard which helps massively with my confidence. Within a week I was back playing for the 2nd team, then a week later the 1st team. Then covid hit and put a stop to it all.

I am looking forward to pulling on the purple jersey and making people stoma aware. Am also looking forward to meeting like minded people who have over come huge setbacks in there lives and don’t let it have a negative effect. Am also looking forward to attempting to play rugby league for the 1st time as well, which will be an experience!”