Opportunity to put women’s game in the North East on the map, as well as raising vital funds to enable region’s women to play at national level
We’ve all been celebrating the success of our lionesses’ football team in the women’s Euros – and now businesses across the North East have a unique opportunity to get behind women’s rugby in the region!
Sponsorship is still needed for two upcoming fixtures featuring the North East Women’s XV on August 20th at 7pm at Durham University Sport Complex and August 29th at Newcastle Falcons’ ground at 7pm – and your business could be part of a women’s rugby revolution in the region.
The games come as North East also gears up to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with England taking on The USA at the Stadium of Light on August 22nd.
The help of businesses across the region is needed for young women like Milly Hyndman, who recently spoke on the BBC’s Total Sport North East about the lengths she goes to for her beloved rugby.
Milly, who is studying to be a chiropractor at Teesside University, also wants to play rugby for her country.
However, there is a big issue, as Francesca Johnson Harding, chair and assistant DoR of the North East Women’s XV explains.
“To play for their country, young women like Milly, who has proved her worth with her place in the England U20s, need to play club rugby at the highest level,” says Francesca.
“However, the North East has no women’s Premiership club.
“As a result, Milly drives from Teesside to Sale three times a week, trains daily at home, works to pay to do that, studies has a work placement and tries to have a social life!
“Yes that’s right…she makes a six hour round trip three times a week PLUS the travel to matches just to ensure the talent she has can be seen.”
Francesca adds the scouts that were in the game are no longer there and players have to be in a visible place to be selected.
So with no premiership club in the North East for women, they are either losing out or moving away, resulting in a brain drain from our region.
Francesca says: “These are the kind of employees we need.
“Ones who go the extra mile to achieve – so why are businesses letting people like this is slip out of the region?
“Backing a team in sponsorship and helping build a robust dedicated job pool full of athletes is a no-brainer!”
This year Francesca’s North East XV team has dared to be different and has taken a stand to reverse the problems our region’s talented young female rugby players face.
Francesca says: “While it’s not yet at a level to stop Milly driving so far and is not recognised enough to mean she can stop driving 18-30 hours a week just to play a sport she loves, with the right backing, it could be.”
With that in mind, Francesca, who also runs kennels Centre Barks, in Sedgefield, asks: “Could your firm be the difference here?”
Fixtures on August 20 and August 29 will see the North East Women’s XV take on the USA collegiate.
“Students in Teesside, Sunderland, Leeds, Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham are all expected to take part,” Francesca says.
If you could help the North East Women’s XV with corporate sponsorship, get in touch with Francesca on 07917 103307.