Sunderland and Houghton female rugby players talk about the game ahead of World Cup coming to city
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00:00 I started rugby two years ago and I was really nervous because I've never actually played a sport like this before.
00:06 I was really excited because I'd seen the boys play and I was like, "This is my sport."
00:11 Because I feel like none of my friends actually enjoy doing rough sports and stuff, but I'm the person who wants to do it.
00:20 I've come down today to inspire the girls and hope that they can look up to the women coming to St Blant for the Women's World Cup.
00:27 If they can be inspired today, they'll keep continuing to play and one day maybe even go on to play in a World Cup themselves.
00:35 When I first started here, we had 20 to 30 lads playing rugby.
00:41 A young gentleman called Johnny Wilkinson made a drop goal in 2003 and our number shot up to 150 players straight away.
00:52 The impact of having the Women's First World Cup game at the stadium and it's the England Roses playing will be something that will lift the city.
01:03 I've watched the husband play rugby for years and when this came up and it was for beginners and for anyone who's never joined or played rugby before,
01:10 I thought it's just a fantastic opportunity to get stuck in and get involved.
01:14 Coming along on that Friday night for the opening game of the World Cup, just don't miss it. Don't miss out. It's going to be absolutely huge.
01:22 It's going to be sunshine, it's going to be rugby, it's going to be full, it's going to be amazing.
01:27 How fantastic is that? I mean it's going to be brilliant for the buzz, for the city, for the economy, for just the whole community side of things.
01:34 It's going to be brilliant and it's just going to go from strength to strength.
01:38 I think it's something no one ever thought would happen to be honest. When everyone found out we were so excited but shocked that it was coming.
01:45 I think it's great. I think it's definitely going to bring more people down. I think it's going to show women's rugby more and then everyone will be looking for local clubs to try maybe.
01:54 So I think, you know, Houghton might grow a bit which, you know, we're always welcoming people.
01:59 So yeah. Yeah, I can't wait and I want to see new girls and especially the younger girls to get involved and make big teams so we can play people and just enjoy the sport really.
02:11 Yeah, definitely. I think anyone at any age can play rugby. Anyone can be successful in rugby. You don't have to be playing since you're like four years old to be successful in rugby.
02:20 Houghton do a lot for the girls' section as well as the boys' but it's just amazing. The friends I've made for life, honestly, I couldn't have bothered. I love coming to training and I love playing my games on Sunday.
02:35 It doesn't feel real. I don't think it'll feel real until they're all actually here and then I think as a club we're all kind of pushing to go and watch it together.
02:42 It's like all of the girls, all the women are going to go and watch and support there just to show that there is a big community here for it.
02:49 (upbeat music)