Love Rugby? Come to the PWR!

Bristol Bears star and Wales international, Jenny Hesketh tells those of us who fell in love with women’s rugby at the World Cup this year to come check out the PWR aka Premiership Women’s Rugby.

You’ll be sure to see lots of your favourite international stars at all the PWR clubs, according to Hesketh (below, in the new away kit). Starting with her fellow Bears…

A couple of the Red Roses props, Sarah Bern and Hannah Botterman (below, right) made a real impact in the World Cup – and also play alongside me. After their heartbreak at the previous World Cup, the Red Roses were building for this home World Cup for a long time, so it’s cool to see them thrive.

In fact, it is always lush to see the Bears girls shining on the world stage in whatever colours they are wearing.

Botts and Berner are such exciting players to watch, breaking that traditional mould around the skillset props bring to a rugby team, they both do a bit of it all. You’ll see Bott’s slick hands, as she tips in and around defenders in every game she plays, and she brings crazy strength and energy.

Berner is a powerhouse, line breaks a plenty, she shows her skillset across the park. She’s someone you know will bring their A game under any type of pressure and shows up for the team. She is also a huge supporter of mine, so I’m grateful to have her around!

Lark Atkin-Davies is another great person to have around, as a hooker her consistency plays a big part in our success as a team at Bears. Tries a plenty, she’s a very respected figure in the environment, a reliable presence and conscientious contributor that supports and will always work hard for those around her.

Jazzy and the Welsh!

My Wales and Bears teammate Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Joyce has so many assets. As with every sport, competing at the highest level comes with hundreds of high-pressure moments. And it’s easy to get caught up in it all, wanting to perform, show up and be successful.

Jazzy is, of course, an incredible and ambitious athlete, you don’t become a triple Olympian without these qualities; but with this she brings infectious energy to every environment she’s in. With so much experience on her rugby CV, she reminds you to be present, take a step back and just enjoy every moment we get to play, to not take yourself too seriously.

Playing alongside Jazz at Wales and with Bristol Bears, she’s someone who has contributed to my ambitions on the pitch, but also the way I want to show up, put a smile on the faces of those around me and be grateful for every opportunity.

Bears have also signed some more, young and exciting Welsh players, including Gwennan Hopkins, Maisie Davies, Savannah Picton-Powelll and Seren Singleton – so look out for them!

From RWC to PWR!

The World Cup was a showcase of talent. It’s shown the strength, power and skill of every athlete and highlighted the many different styles of play that each team bring in the women’s game.

But what has been even more inspiring, is the way it showcased the personalities we have across every team, the strength in diversity, and celebrated cultures from across the world. It has displayed the how athletes can connect and empower communities worldwide.

The PWR is the leading club competition for women’s rugby 15’s, athletes from countries across the world compete each week for their teams.

For those who’ve been captivated by the World Cup, the PWR gives the opportunity to continue to be a part of the movement and growth of the women’s game. Showcasing an abundance of professionalism among athletes who continue to manage careers outside of rugby, alongside those competing on the international stage, the PWR provides audiences with role models that connect with spectators and fans in a unique and powerful way.

What an atmosphere!

The environments around women’s rugby are widely understood as being welcoming, accessible, safe, and inclusive of everyone who wants to support the game.

Athletes across every team go above and beyond for spectators after matches (as with Red Roses’ stars, Abbie Ward and Hannah Botterman, above), wanting to connect with fans, be familiar faces and a visible role model to everyone that comes out.

Check them out…

Those to look out for around the PWR are World Cup standouts, Claudia Pena (Spain and Harlequins), Rick Jarrell-Searcy (USA and Sale), Emma Orr and Evie Gallagher (Scotland and Bristol Bears), Julia Schell (Canada and Ealing Trailfinders) and Sophie De Goede (below, Canada and Saracens). They’re all competing in the PWR for their respective teams – the excitement around these players and women’s rugby is only going to continue!