Rugby may be suspended but USA Men’s Sevens players Stephen Tomasin and Cody Melphy aren’t sitting around. Through Twitch, the largest video game streaming platform in the world, the two have reached the finals of the Twitch Rivals Supergames 2020 in support of Ruck ALS.
Tonight, from 8-11 PM ET, Tomasin and Melphy join two other streamers to battle it out against 19 other teams for the chance to win $150,000 for their charity. They’ve already raised $25,000.
By fusing a hobby they enjoy with an opportunity to support those in need, both players have opened the door to an enticing and interactive platform that ignites the spirit of competition.
“A few weeks ago, our captain Madison Hughes asked me if I wanted to play in a Fortnite tournament against other professional athletes from around the world,” said Tomasin. “If you know me, you know I play a bit of video games, so I obviously said yes to the offer and got invited to the qualifiers where Cody and I did well enough to qualify for the semifinals and then again the finals.
“We're raising thousands of dollars for charity while having a bit of fun at the same time.”
For those unfamiliar with RuckALS, the organization was founded by Tripper Povar to support men, women and families in the rugby community and beyond who are impacted by ALS. The opportunity to help the RuckALS mission through Twitch Rivals Supergames allows Tomasin and Melphy to fuse the rugby world and gaming world in a positive way.
“By streaming live, we'll be able to interact with our viewers and answer any questions they may have,” said Tomasin. “Gaming has come a long way and is in a place where it is credible and exciting for all ages to watch.”
Fans can watch the action tonight on twitch.com or through the Twitch mobile app. Once on the platform, search “Maddogsvt09” for Stephen and "CodyMelphyYT' for Cody to interact with the action through the chatbox. Both players will be available to answer questions periodically and engage with audiences.
To support Ruck ALS, visit ruckals.org/.
