With the eyes of the rugby world firmly fixed on the Women’s World Cup, in what promises to be the biggest and best tournament to date, the PWR is taking the time to shine a light on the importance of the club game in developing international superstars.
The PWR spoke to PWR athletes including Red Roses captain Zoe Aldcroft and World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne about their journey to the top of their profession, and how their time spent with their respective clubs prepared them for what could be their crowning moment.
Throughout the World Cup, they will tell the stories of 8 different players; all with their own experiences of how playing in the PWR is a crucial step in preparing yourself for the international limelight.
Bristol Bears’ Lark Atkin-Davies said in a yet-to-be-aired interview: “My time in the PWR has been really influential in terms of being a Red Rose. Having such a competitive league is massive in terms of improving and progressing as a player.”
Tysh Harper, capped England international and current Sale Sharks prop, also brings a unique angle to the campaign as she talks about how important having a PWR stronghold in the North is to ensure a wide range of talent can make their way to the Red Roses setup and international glory.
She said: “When I found out Sale were having a women’s team in the Prem, I had a realisation coming to the end of Uni that there was an opportunity to go home.
“When I finally came home, it was weird as I was like ‘I’m not visiting anymore, I’m staying’. It was exciting, I had this buzzing feeling because I was seeing my friends and family.
“It reminded me of the reasons I started rugby. I often do that because I always forget how far I’ve come and what a journey I have been on.”
Aldcroft will lead England at a home World Cup, and hopes the impact of the tournament will be felt in the new PWR season when international players return to their clubs in October.
“As a legacy, it would be amazing to see a massive boost in the sport,” she said. “We are getting more people to games, everyone is wanting to come and watch. The aim is to go and win a World Cup and for people to be inspired watching us.”
The ‘Rooted in PWR’ Campaign will focus on the following players:
– Zoe Aldcroft
– Ellie Kildunne
– Rosie Galligan
– Lilli Ives Campion
– Lark Atkin Davies
– Maddie Feaunati
– Abby Dow
– Tysh Harper
Also, as part of the campaign, PWR will be partnering with eToro to show some of the key stats that show why these 8 players represent the best of PWR, and why their 24/25 numbers explain how many of them will be representing the Red Roses at the World Cup.
The PWR returns for it’s biggest season yet on October 24.
With thanks to the PWR
