24 April 2024
For Year 9 student Noush, who plays touch rugby with Wolves and captains the U14 Wimbledon rugby team, Saturday 20 April was a very special day as she took to the pitch at Twickenham to play an exhibition touch rugby match – and scored two tries – ahead of the England Women’s match against Ireland.
Noush, Year 9
Last Saturday, I had the incredible opportunity of playing at Twickenham before the Red Roses vs. Ireland match, as well as unveiling the flags at the beginning of the game.
Arriving four hours ahead of the game, we were shown around the stadium, including the changing rooms where the England players would soon be. We then practised taking out the flags and learning how to fold them afterwards, doing this three times before going onto the actual pitch to practise a final time. Just touching the grass felt sacred.
We played our match around 30 minutes before the England-Ireland match. It was terrifying to play in front of so many people, yet incredible at the same time. It pushed us to win the game and I scored two of our six tries (see photo in gallery below). Straight afterwards, we took out the flags with everyone watching and knelt on one knee as the two national anthems played. It was honestly a feeling I will never forget. We were able to sit pitch side to watch the match, which was the closest you could get to both teams. It also meant we got all our stuff signed by the players. Saturday was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful that I got the chance to do it.
