Red Roses return to roots with community visits
The Red Roses visited community rugby clubs around the country to acknowledge the role of grassroots rugby.
Following a sixth successive Guinness Women’s Six Nations title, the Red Roses returned to their roots by visiting community rugby clubs.
To give back to the fans that supported them throughout their Grand Slam-winning campaign, players spent the last few months visiting the clubs that helped mould them into the athlete they are today.
The visiting players led training drills, hosted Q&A sessions, and took part in autograph signings and photo opportunities.
Meg Jones, who is currently at the Paris Olympics representing Team GB in Sevens, returned to Loughborough - having studied at the University - and helped support one of the club’s summer recruitment sessions for girls, where more than 40 girls aged between five and 14 turned up.
Women and girls lead at Loughborough RFC, Jenna Bonser, said: “Megan turned up early, she just chatted with the girls and straight away made them feel really comfortable.
“We did a Q&A in the clubhouse and there were actually some boys’ sessions going on too, but they all came in for the Q&A so the clubhouse was packed!”
After the session, Jenna got a message from one of the parents saying her daughter is quite shy, but that Jones “picked up on it straight away and was so lovely and encouraging.” As a result, her daughter’s birthday list now includes a season ticket to both Leicester Tigers and Loughborough Lightning!
Abbie Ward’s visit to Keswick Rugby Club was just as successful, and the club’s women and girls representative, Leanne Grave, said: “The girls and women always benefit from these interactions with a world class player.
“It’s great to see someone who has come from our club achieve so much take the time to come back and encourage others to keep playing the game we all love.
“Many of the young women have aspirations like Abbie did and what better way to encourage them than to be told they can do it from one of the best. It’s always quite relaxed having Abbie around as she knows so many faces personally and we can’t wait to be following her and the Red Roses’ journey next season and at the home World Cup!”
