Abbie and Dave help coach Keswick Girls
Abbie Ward is used to breaking new ground and breaking down barriers for girls in rugby and now she has a daughter of her own, she’s encouraging girls’ participation in the sport at every level.
With England women's rugby players now entitled to 26 weeks' fully-paid maternity leave, as well as funds for children to travel to games with them, the Red Roses lock believes that the policy will help normalise motherhood in sport.
Having given birth to her daughter, Hallie, she and her husband Dave Ward, former Harlequins player and current Bristol Bears women’s Head Coach, were recently at Keswick RFC to run a girls’ coaching session.
“We were very fortunate to get two great coaches and experienced professional rugby players for the price of one! The coaching involved some small game sessions, alongside areas of skill work. All the girls thoroughly enjoyed it and I heard a number of them say afterwards that they were ‘buzzing’ and were very inspired. Our girls’ coaches who helped at the coaching session all felt they had learnt something from Abbie and Dave too. So a win, win all round.” said Louisa Burton, one of Keswick girls’ coaches.
