Red Roses immortalised with murals
Three Red Roses have been immortalised in inspiring murals at sites across the country.
Red Roses captain Sarah Hunter, alongside centre and record point scorer Emily Scarratt, and prop Shaunagh Brown, have had their portraits created in Newcastle, Leicester and South London – all key locations that played a big part in their early rugby careers.
The murals were supported by O2, and created by England Rugby licensee and renowned street artist collective MurWalls.
"You can’t be what you can’t see, so I hope every young girl who drives past these murals on their way to school, or when they walk to rugby training is inspired, knowing that they too can one day play on the world stage," said Hunter.
"Novocastrians RFC will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I first realised I might be better suited to the forwards, and so moved from inside centre to the backrow. While it’s my face up there on the side of the clubhouse, it’s also a celebration of the legacy of every woman who’s pulled on an England jersey.”
Red Roses Vice-Captain, Emily Scarratt, said: "Growing up, it was my dad and brother who I looked up to, but I’m so happy that any girl who plays for Leicester Forest RFC and across the broader area now has a woman to look up to."
Shaunagh Brown, added: "While we don’t always ask to be role models, as professional athletes playing on the other side of the world we are, so I’m incredibly proud that aspiring young girls and boys, especially those of colour, can look to me in a very real way for inspiration."
The trio are not the only ones in the spotlight; to further celebrate the individual roots of each squad member currently in New Zealand, England Rugby has launched an out-of-home campaign honouring each player across 127 sites throughout the country including their hometowns. The campaign will run until the end of November.
Mural Locations
Sarah Hunter: Novocastrians RFC, The Drive, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7SZ
Shaunagh Brown: Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SS
Emily Scarratt: Leicester Forest RFC, Hinckley Rd, Leicester Forest East, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE3 3PJ
