Cornwall's women's rugby team is on the cusp of making history, and it's not just about the game itself. The team, led by coach Jo Holden, is hoping to leave a lasting legacy for women's rugby in the county, and it's a mission that goes beyond the pitch. As they prepare to face Durham in the Division Two final of the Gill Burns Cup at Twickenham, the team is not just aiming to win, but to inspire and empower the next generation of female rugby players in Cornwall.
Holden, a passionate advocate for women's rugby, believes that her role is to push women to play at higher levels and put themselves on the map. She sees the team's success as a catalyst for change, encouraging more women to take up the sport and challenging the notion that rugby is solely a men's game. "I see my role as hopefully pushing women to do better in Cornwall, pushing women to play at a higher level, pushing women to put themselves on the map," she said. "If it takes us to do that, I'm more than happy."
The team's journey to Twickenham is a testament to the growth of women's rugby in Cornwall. Four years ago, they were promoted to the second tier after winning the third division title, and since then, the number of women's teams in the county has exploded. Holden attributes this success to the girls who have been pushing each other to play rugby and get better, creating a ripple effect that has inspired others to follow suit. "We've got so many more women's teams in the county now, and I'm very proud of the fact that a lot of the girls in the county have been pushing other women to play rugby, have been pushing other women to be better at rugby, get the levels up and move forward,"
However, the team's path to Twickenham hasn't been without its challenges. They lost to Durham in the semi-finals a couple of years ago, and Holden admits that the team is up against a tough opponent this time around. "If I'm honest, it's kind of the finish to the story that I wanted because we lost to them in the semi-finals a couple of years ago - they put on a very dominant performance," she said. "We know they're a very physical team, they always have been. I think hopefully this time we can be a little bit more prepared for that and be ready."
Despite the challenges, Holden remains optimistic about the team's chances. She believes that the experience of playing at Twickenham will be transformative for the players, and that the team will be able to put on a show that Cornish people can be proud of. "No matter the result at the weekend, I'm incredibly proud of what they've done," she said. "I hope they take in every minute of it, I hope they soak it up. I hope we make an experience for them as well - from when we leave on Friday to when we come home on Sunday."
The team's success at Twickenham would be a significant milestone for women's rugby in Cornwall, but Holden sees it as just the beginning. She hopes that the experience will inspire more women to take up the sport and challenge the status quo. "I think the nice thing for me as well is that we have a couple of girls in the squad that did watch the 2022 final, and they are now playing," she said. "What this really suggests is that the sport is growing, and that more women are getting involved."
In my opinion, the Cornwall women's rugby team's journey to Twickenham is a powerful example of how sport can be a force for positive change. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps, the team is not just playing for themselves, but for the future of women's rugby in Cornwall. As they prepare to take on Durham, they are not just aiming to win, but to leave a lasting legacy that will shape the sport for years to come.
