The UKAF Women’s Team have arrived in New Zealand for the 2022 International Defence Rugby Competition, and the Army Rugby Union are well represented for the biggest showcase in women’s military rugby when it kicks off this coming weekend.
More than half of the 29-player squad comes from the Army Rugby Union, all of whom were part of the squad which won the 2022 Inter-Services Championship. And after having been a part of the first ever Army v Navy Women’s Match at Twickenham in April, the players will be making history in New Zealand, too, with this being the first ever staging of an International Defence Rugby Competition for Women’s rugby.
The Army’s players are Sgt Sarah Batley (AGC (RMP)), Gnr Amy Carr (RA), Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA), Sgt Louise Dodd (QARANC), SSgt Beverley Gilbert (RAMC), SSgt Natalie Lewis (R Sigs), Gnr Jess McAuley (RA), Maj Chantelle Miller (AGC (RMP)), Capt Erica Mills (RA), Cpl Charlie Morgan (RAMC), SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)), Capt Fionidi Parker (REME), SSgt Carrie Smith (Int Corps), Lt Sally Bellhouse (RAVC), LCpl Emily Williams (AGC (RMP)) and Cpl Becky Wilson (RLC).
There is representation in the backroom staff, too, with newly-appointed Army Head Coach, WO2 Sarah Mitchelson (RLC), flying out as Assistant Coach, and Maj Jules Peart (RAMC) and WO2 Maxine Bowley (RAMC) providing the medical support and SSgt Rae Metters (REME) as Team Manager.
They and their Royal Navy and Royal Air Force colleagues have two pool games against Australia and Fiji on Tuesday 11th and Friday 14th October respectively, with both games being live streamed by the host nation.
The winners and runners-up progress to the semi-finals, with the third-placed team going into a play-off before a potential placing match.
The other pool is made up of France, New Zealand, Tonga and Vanuatu & Papua New Guinea, with all matches being played in Auckland.
“It is a massive honour for the ARU to be so well represented in the first ever International Defence Force Women’s World Cup,” commented Director of Women’s Rugby, Lt Col Charlie Maxwell (AGC (SPS)). “All of our players showed their ability to compete at the highest level throughout 2021/22, helping UKAF beat France last September and then going on to win the Inter-Services Championship and finally overcoming the French Navy at the end of the season.
“Having an International Defence Force World Cup is a significant step forwards for women’s military rugby, not just here in the UK but on the world stage, and after our own day at Twickenham in April it will be a very proud moment for everyone associated with women’s rugby in the British Army to see UKAF run out to play Australia next week.
“On behalf of the ARU, I would like to send our very best wishes to the whole UKAF team; we will be cheering them on all of the way!”
For more information about the competition, including live streaming kick off times, head to www.nzdf.mil.nz/idrc
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and Featured Image © UKAF Rugby
