Cumbria Women's Rugby Union heading to Twickenham for final

Cumbria Women’s Rugby will head to Twickenham next Sunday, June 16 with the hopes of bringing home the Gill Burns County Championship (Division Three) when they face Devon.

The women will head to Twickenham for the first time in their history with the day being a ‘long time in the making’ for ladies’ rugby in Cumbria and players fielded from clubs across the county.

Head coach Ally Ratcliffe on the side lines at one of the games. (Image: Clare Geldard)

Head Coach, Ally Ratcliffe said: “It’s a huge achievement, it has been a long time in the making. It’s ten years since I started coaching the Cumbria women’s rugby team and the progress that the team and the teams in the county have developed over those ten years, it’s super exciting to see all that hard work getting to fruition.

“It’s the home of rugby and there’s nothing more exciting that that, it doesn’t feel real to be honest. We have a few players from Workington Zebras Finches they have played at Twickenham, but we as a county have not and it’s just super exciting, almost mind blowing that we are getting the chance to go and be on the biggest stage in the country and show our ability off.”

The team have been given some money from the RFU to fund the programme, this is for expenses such as home games, away games, but the funds do not cover the cost of the travel or accommodation for Twickenham.

The county is also funding as much as they can for expenses accumulated during the games, however a fundraising page has now been set up to support the women on their Twickenham Journey.

Ally said: “We are just trying to make sure that we can give the players the best possible opportunity to perform by making sure they go down the day before.

The women prepare for one of their previous matches. (Image: Clare Geldard)

“Whatever anybody can donate whether it’s a very small amount or a large amount, we are just trying to make sure that we have got the costs covered to go to Twickenham and then we can relax and enjoy the game.”

The head coach also extended a thank you to all the background staff who have contributed to the success of the women’s game in the county.

She said: “Just a huge thanks to the club coaches and volunteers who have contributed to this success, the coaches that develop the players week in week out within their clubs has meant that we can build on that.”

A supporter’s bus is heading to Twickenham for the final with people encouraged to travel if they wish with free entry to Twickenham on the day, with the game also being shown live on YouTube.

For more information or to donate to the Cumbria Women’s Rugby Team you can find the fundraising page here.