Red Roses stars say role models are ‘everything’ for young ladies

Members of the England women’s national rugby team, the Red Roses, visited Kingswood RFC near Bristol last week, emphasizing the importance of role models for young girls in sports. Four players – Natasha Hunt, Alex Matthews, Holly Aitchison, and Hannah Botterman – spent time coaching primary school girls, many of whom were playing rugby for the first time.

With around 80 children from seven different schools attending the event, the initiative aimed to introduce more young girls to rugby and inspire them to continue in the sport.

Hannah Botterman: “Role Models Are Everything”

Hannah Botterman, who joined Bristol Bears in 2023, highlighted how essential it is for young girls to have role models in rugby. She noted that many of the participants had never played before and might not even be familiar with professional players.

“It’s really important to have role models. When I was younger, I don’t remember knowing any of the England players,” Botterman said.

She also emphasized the diversity within rugby, pointing out that the sport welcomes all body types and personalities, giving every girl a chance to see themselves represented on the field.

The Impact of Ilona Maher on Women’s Rugby

One major factor increasing the visibility of women’s rugby is the arrival of Ilona Maher at Bristol Bears. Botterman acknowledged that her presence has significantly boosted the club’s public exposure, leading to increased attendance at women’s club rugby matches.

“It’s nice to see women’s club rugby gaining upwards of 10,000 people at games. Previously in my England career, we had around 2,500 people, so to have that at club games is really exciting,” she added.

Natasha Hunt also praised Ilona Maher’s impact, recalling the excitement of being part of the record-breaking crowd at Ashton Gate during Maher’s debut.

Breaking Down Barriers to Rugby for Girls

At the Kingswood RFC event, young girls participated in warm-up drills, training exercises, and rugby games. Natasha Hunt described the experience as “awesome”, highlighting how such events help break down barriers that might prevent girls from taking up rugby.

“It’s brilliant to see young girls given the opportunity to play the sport we love. These events show the pathway from grassroots to the elite level, making rugby more accessible,” she said.

Hunt shared her own journey, explaining that she only fully took up rugby at 17 and never looked back. She hopes that initiatives like this will inspire more young girls to get involved in the game at an earlier stage.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup Coming to Bristol

With the Women’s Rugby World Cup coming to Ashton Gate in September, the event at Kingswood RFC was also designed to spark interest ahead of the tournament.

Abbie Watkin from England Rugby emphasized how important it is to introduce girls to the sport before the World Cup arrives.

“With the World Cup on our doorstep, these girls can say they met the Red Roses and then watch them play at Ashton Gate. This event is about introducing rugby in a fun and inclusive way, without barriers,” she explained.

Kingswood RFC also hopes the event will encourage girls to join their junior rugby teams, growing the next generation of women’s rugby players.

The Red Roses’ visit to Kingswood RFC was a significant step in inspiring young girls to explore rugby. By providing role models, breaking barriers, and creating positive experiences, the event helped encourage participation in a sport where diversity is celebrated. With the Women’s Rugby World Cup set to take place in Bristol later this year, the future of women’s rugby in the region looks bright.

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