Our sport world has a new hero - 'Alfie'

Mark Pugsley posted a 'Proud moment,' pic of his boy on the rugby field with his Oakdale U12s team this week; then deleted the photo due to comments made by an online troll about his son's size and assumptions about his fitness & health.

When you join a rugby team, you join a global family who all share the same values of Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect.

Well, our global rugby family turned the Solidarity and Respect dial up to 11 to come out in support of Alfie.

Nigel Owens, Rugbyverse legend, stepped in with his reply in support of Alfie continuing to do what he loves and ignoring the critics...

Mark's post has been shared over 10,000 times at the time of writing and received over 218k likes from supporters around the globe. And the support keeps coming from club land to rugby royalty across the globe....

The beauty of rugby is the inclusivity of our sport - players, officials, volunteers and supporters are all welcomed and accepted globally regardless of background, shape, size, experience or alliances. Rugby values come long before we step onto a field and these values are the DNA that bind our global family.

As demonstrated by Mark and Alfie, family are looked after, support will come from far and wide to defend you, rally behind you, pick you up and dust you off when needed. The rugby family are also there to share in your wins, celebrate your successes and make you more determined than ever to do your best for yourself and your team.

Alfie, you have reminded the world how we can only win if we work as one and embrace diversity while fighting for inclusivity. You are a role model for 1000's of players across the globe. Rugby won today, you are a hero and I hope you go to bed tonight feeling proud and very, very loved.

Keep enjoying your game Alfie.

Yours in Rugby, James Liley - RugbyVic (Melbourne, Australia)