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Search forNice try ladies — baby boom for Bideford women's RFC...
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 07:00
Bideford Ladies rugby players said 2008 had turned out to be a record year for them, with four longstanding members of North Devon's only women's team having babies.
The girls, who all met through the game, are the best of friends and say they have Bideford RFC to thank for their new arrivals — as their husbands also all either play or played for the club.
Two of the women, Charlie Raymont and Anna Brown, have already given birth to baby girls. Harriet Raymont was born on June 25, and Lauren Brown arrived on April 9.
Ex-captain Hannah Garnett is immently expecting a girl and Sarah Palmer, another former captain and described as an emerging England player, is due to give birth in December.
The girls say with three future players already assured, the long-term future of the team is looking bright. But in the short term the team is struggling for players to make up for those on maternity leave, and they are encouraging more ladies to take up the sport.
Sarah said: "Rugby is my passion, it's been a huge part of my life for the last 13 years and it really has given me so much.
"During my career I've been lucky enough to play for Worcester in the premiership and for the emerging England team.
"I love being on the pitch but I've had just as much fun off the pitch and met many of my close friends and my husband through Bideford RFC.
"Also I'd just like to say, contrary to popular belief, we're not all hard-nosed, tough-nuts! I'm a staff nurse in the intensive care unit at North Devon District Hospital and Charlie is a community nurse."
Anna said she believed the team spirit in rugby was better than in any other sport she had tried.
Charlie said: "When I came back to Bideford after finishing university many of my friends had moved away.
"Rugby gave me a new interest, kept me fit and introduced me to some fantastic new friends.
"I was very nervous before I went to my first training session but after eight years of playing I'm so glad that I did. Apart from anything else I might not have met my husband otherwise."
Hannah said she didn't want to get involved at the beginning but agreed to go with a friend to her first training session.
She said she "loved it" and stayed — and 10 years later is still there.
Vice captain Tara Stanbury said: "It's obviously fantastic news and we're all delighted for the girls, but it does mean that we desperately need some new players.
"While being a mum does not exclude you from playing and, indeed, we have three mums on the team, it is natural to need some time off. I know it can be quite nerve-wracking to start a new sport but at our level there really is a place in the team for people of all shapes, sizes and abilities. If you're at all interested just come along and give it a try."
The team trains at Bideford Rugby Club near the park every Thursday at 7.30pm. Tara can be contacted on 07725 524743.
BABY BOOM: Two born and two in waiting. Bideford Ladies' Rugby team members, left to right, Charlie Raymont with Harriet, Sarah Palmer, Hannah Garnett and Anna Brown with Lauren.
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