Women make history at local rugby club

The Whitecraigs Panthers played their first game ever on Friday night in a five-way touch tournament.

The competition was the brainchild of Rachel Fishlock who was inspired to put a team together after seeing her three boys participate in the game.

She said: “I take my three boys to practice at Whitecraigs, and there are quite a few other mums there. Last July we decided to start training and put a team together and it is the first time in the club’s 90-year history that there has been a woman’s team.”

Not only is touch rugby a great way to keep fit, but it’s the sense of community that drew Rachel to the game.

“There is such a sense of community,” Rachel agreed. “The club is a social place and we wanted to be a part of that.

“I don’t like the negative behaviour of some football fans and I feel that rugby is more of a social family game.”

And Rachel is chuffed to bits that so many turned out for the tournament on Friday.

She said: “I’m really over the moon and our coach was really emotional. We had some hospitality on after the game with some glasses of prosecco. I’m chuffed to bits and really proud that we were able to pull this off.”

Looking ahead, Rachel is keen for more women to sign up and have a go.

“We’re hoping that we can play against other teams in the West of Scotland. So we want other women to come along and take part.”

Interested in signing up? Visit W0MENSRUGBY for details.