Stand Up Magazine - Issue 38 - Ulster Rugby Supporters' Club

This time last year there was an article on the IRFU website looking for Ambassadors for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, writes URSC Committee Member Lynn Wilson , and I decided to apply, never thinking for a minute what I would need to do, or if I would even be chosen. My time as a Womens Rugby World Cup Ambassador

As I write this the tournament has just kicked off after 9 months of workshops, Trophy Tours and events to help promote Women in Rugby. On a crisp November Saturday morning last year, I travelled to Dublin to take part in a workshop, feeling strange as I wasn’t going to a match. We were directed to the tunnel where the bus drives the teams in on match day, then on to the President’s Suite. One of the first to greet us was Nora Stapleton the current Ireland Women’s 10 and we were immediately put at ease. The workshop lasted all day and was to find people who were suitable for the task in hand. We had a speed round where we had to sell ourselves to IRFU staff, and if anyone knows me I had no problem chatting about myself and rugby. It’s easy when you play because you have a certain passion that even the most ardent non-playing supporter would fail to understand. We also had group tasks to design a concept that could encourage more women and girls to take up our sport. The main aim was to get 2017 new players in 2017 . New friends and acquaintances were formed that day and I look forward to welcoming them to Kingspan on 26th August for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, where Ireland will play irrespective of where they finish in the pool, but I hope it’s the girls in green

that will lift the trophy at around 9:30pm that day. [Ed’s note: Sadly it wasn’t to be as the French proved too strong in the Pool stages] So we hit the ground running and it started with Ireland in the 6 Nations, handing out leaflets and helping supporters around the stadium at Donnybrook for the French game. On the day we came out on top and looking forward to the England game on St Patrick’s weekend. On that wet and windy night I was with the trophy and being the brilliant prop that I am (HA HA HA), I had to make sure the gazebo didn’t blow over and knock the cup down (and yes, it was the actual cup and not a replica). I have taken part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Belfast, encouraged girls to try our wonderful sport, travelled with the Trophy Tour to various events, helped coached the next generation and met a few celebs along the way. I hope to see you all for the semis and final when I will be a volunteer on the day furthering connection to the tournament. I have enjoyed every minute of my time as a Women’s Rugby World Cup Ambassador, and will be sad to see the end. I see it as a huge honour to have been chosen to represent Ireland, women’s rugby and my club in ensuring that this is the best world cup ever.

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