A group of local ladies who pulled on a pair of rugby boots for the first time twelve weeks ago reached a remarkable milestone when they took to the pitch at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
The newly formed Ladies Walking Rugby team from Moore were invited to participate in a Walking Rugby Showcase ahead of the Warrington V Hull fixture last Friday. The showcase brought together players from Moore RUFC, Warrington Wolves and Hull, highlighting the rapid growth of walking rugby and its ability to bring communities together through sport.
The Moore squad was made up of women from all walks of life, including mums, grandmas, and local residents who joined to meet people or simply improve their fitness.
In just three months, the group has gone from learning the basics of passing and positioning to earning the opportunity to play at one of the region’s largest sporting stadiums in front of a growing crowd of supporters arriving for the evening’s match.
Over 60 participants took to the pitch to demonstrate the sport. Pictured are mother and daughter, Cath & Megan Taylor, who came along to the Moore RUFC sessions and got hooked!
Jo Leah, who started the Moore RUFC Ladies Walking Rugby group, said: “When we launched the group, the aim was to simply create a welcoming space where ladies could come together and get active. To see so many ladies embrace the sport and earn the chance to play at Halliwell Jones stadium after just 12 weeks is incredible and shows what can happen when people are willing to try something new.”
Coach Becky Leanne agreed, saying: “Twelve weeks ago, many of these ladies had never touched a rugby ball. Let alone imagined themselves playing on a stadium pitch. Their determination and willingness to step outside their comfort zone has been incredible.”
This June is the 7 year Anniversary of Walking Rugby at Moore RUFC, which was one of the first clubs to embrace the sport. Each week the pitches are full of people playing Walking Rugby.
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Well done, keep up the excellent work!