We talk a lot about strength in rugby, and when we talk abut it we usually mean muscular strength, but there’s mental strength, and strength of character, too.

And what strength do you show when your strength goes? ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disease that shuts down muscular function. It’s a heartbreaking disease for those who suffer from it, and their loved ones.

Tripper Povar has seen too much of it.

The founder of Ruck ALS charitable foundation, Povar has seen ALS up close. 

“My dad ran every day, he flew glider planes, and he played golf,” Povar told Goff Rugby Report. “He was really active.”

And then he got ALS. It hit hard and fast. Povar and his wife and daughter moved from Nebraska to Arizona to take care of Povar’s dad. Povar was a nurse, and so he knew how to take care of his dad, and while his father died only a few months after that move, it was a decision Povar says was the right move.

“There were difficult moments,” said Povar. “But we were able to make his final days more comfortable. My daughter has fleeting memories of him that she wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

After his father died, Povar returned to work, and a few days later a patient he was caring for died. Having stayed strong through his father’s illness, Povar broke down after hearing about the patient.

“That wrecked me,” he said.

A New Task

But eventually he found the strength to rebound. His family grew with a son born soon thereafter, and Povar still played rugby. He had been introduced to rugby at five years old when his family was living in Hong Kong. When they moved to France he took it up seriously, and has played, coached, or reffed ever since.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play with some great players and in some amazing places all across the globe,” he said. 

Usually a prop, Povar has, of course, moved around when needed. And he’s moved around in terms of teams to play for, as well, suiting up for, among others, the American School in Paris, Old Pueblo, Northern Arizona University, Santa Clara RFC, the University of Miami, and Boise United.

And it’s in Boise where the story picks up again. After Povar’s father died in 2012, he entered Nurse Practitioner school and became an NP. Then in 2016 the Povar family moved to Idaho, where started to play for Boise United under coach Kirk Pulver. 

“Life’s good, we’re moving on, what happened with my dad is a memory, it happened, but we’re moving on.”

Then Pulver announced he’d been diagnosed with ALS. Povar was shocked. 

“I was thinking, I’ve got to do something about this,” he said. “I’ve got to help coach. Then I thought, why stop with coach? Let’s help everyone we can. I love the rugby community so let’s help people in the rugby community if we can.”

Povar stepped down as president of Boise United and threw himself into RuckALS. He has made connections all over the rugby world since then, especially with national team players and Major League Rugby players.

“I want to be able to help as many people as possible,” he said.

Practical Help

RuckALS isn’t about research and finding a cure. It’s about making life a little less difficult for ALS sufferers.

Do you need ramps to your house or a chair lift for your stairs? 

Do you need to retrofit your car, a ride to treatments?

“We want to help in the NOW,” he explained.

Some of that is arranging memory-making events for the PALS (person with ALS) and their loved ones.

You can help. You can donate, buy some merchandise, volunteer, or help raise awareness. Ruck ALS is an organization that wants to help rugby players, and anyone else, with this disease.

And maybe then they can inject a little strength where it’s needed.

For more, go to: www.ruckals.org