Women’s teams heading for Zambia
Yeovil Rugby Ladies and Thamesians Ladies have been selected to head for Zambia and the Mufulira Sevens in August.
This is so that the Mufulira Leopardesses can compete against teams from overseas and create and foster rugby links. As well as playing in the tournament the visiting teams will share knowledge and coaching experience with local schools.
Yvonne Mambo, the Zambian manager of the Leopardesses says: “Women’s rugby has grown in profile in Mufulira and we are gradually altering the view that rugby is primarily a sport for men. Having international women’s teams visiting will not only be good for the country and club but also benefit the ladies at an individual level.
“Seeing successful players from England will make them realise that they can make it in life too and the concept here that sport is a waste of time will change.”
Yeovil Ladies’ Bea Chubb adds: “We will play in the sevens tournament and also play a traditional 15-a-side game giving local players the chance to compete against northern hemisphere women’s teams, as well as sharing coaching sessions with the Leopardesses. This is in a bid to raise the profile of women’s involvement in sport.
“The team will also visit local schools to coach sport and act as role models to encourage local children. Some of our players also have medical backgrounds and will visit and make links with local hospitals.”
Thamesians Ladies are also delighted to be chosen for the tour and become ambassadors for women’s rugby in Zambia.
Amy Parker, a player who has been with the club since the creation of the team says: "We are extremely excited to be involved in not only an amazing sporting opportunity but an important movement and message: that we all stand together with a common passion. We realise that this is a turn in history for women and rugby everywhere and we hope that this opportunity inspires more women to get involved with the global family that is rugby.
“The tournament comes at a pivotal time for women’s rugby and it excites us to be a part of something so vast! We embark on this trip knowing that it is something we will be able to tell our children about and in turn inspire them to be involved and inclusive. We are training hard so that the Leopardesses have the absolute best of us and our abilities as it is the least we can do for our gracious hosts."
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