Back
Keswick RFC Hosts Inspiring Visit from Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy
Benjamin Paxon20 Feb - 12:18
‘’The day I saw the Rugby World Cup at our clubhouse’’ The kind of memory these players will tell their children about one day.
“We wanted to reward Keswick for its decades-long hard work put into junior rugby. As a club, we often reference Keswick as an example of how it should be done, and have done for many years. The spirit of the people involved is core to this.”
Keswick Rugby Football Club was proud to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy on Thursday 19th February, as part of its national tour celebrating England’s historic victory last autumn.
The afternoon began with open rugby sessions welcoming juniors of all ages and abilities, including several newcomers experiencing the sport for the first time. Led by coaches Garry Holmes and Mark Lee, and supported by the wider Keswick RFC coaching team, the sessions were full of energy, enthusiasm, and enjoyment - reflecting the club’s longstanding commitment to developing grassroots rugby.
Despite the traditional February weather, the event proved a tremendous success, with a fantastic turnout of players, family members, and supporters who came together to celebrate the special occasion. The trophy was on display in Bar 1879 throughout the afternoon and evening, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see one of rugby’s most prestigious prizes up close. Many young players and supporters took the opportunity to have photographs with the trophy, creating lasting memories and inspiring future ambitions.
On duty as guardian of the trophy and representing the Rugby Football Union as Club Developer, Liam Nicholls explained why Keswick had been chosen as a host club.
“We wanted to reward Keswick for its decades-long hard work put into junior rugby, both on and off the pitch. As a club, we often reference Keswick as an example of how it should be done, and have done for many years. The spirit of the people involved is core to this.”
Liam also made special mention of David Etherden, who is remembered as one of the first to properly develop junior rugby at Keswick and a leading figure in encouraging the first girls to play at the club.
“David was a true visionary and one of Keswick’s great thinkers and achievers,” he said. “There have been many more since, all of them part of the foundations the club stands on today.”
He also praised the club’s facilities, adding: “The clubhouse is amazing - again testament to the people within the club who believed. This building is the cherry on the top.”
The club would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the visit such a memorable and successful occasion. The event highlighted the strength of the rugby community in Keswick and reinforced the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting and developing players of all ages.
Keswick RFC hopes the visit will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring more young people to take up the sport and continue the club’s proud tradition of developing future talent.
The afternoon began with open rugby sessions welcoming juniors of all ages and abilities, including several newcomers experiencing the sport for the first time. Led by coaches Garry Holmes and Mark Lee, and supported by the wider Keswick RFC coaching team, the sessions were full of energy, enthusiasm, and enjoyment - reflecting the club’s longstanding commitment to developing grassroots rugby.
Despite the traditional February weather, the event proved a tremendous success, with a fantastic turnout of players, family members, and supporters who came together to celebrate the special occasion. The trophy was on display in Bar 1879 throughout the afternoon and evening, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see one of rugby’s most prestigious prizes up close. Many young players and supporters took the opportunity to have photographs with the trophy, creating lasting memories and inspiring future ambitions.
On duty as guardian of the trophy and representing the Rugby Football Union as Club Developer, Liam Nicholls explained why Keswick had been chosen as a host club.
“We wanted to reward Keswick for its decades-long hard work put into junior rugby, both on and off the pitch. As a club, we often reference Keswick as an example of how it should be done, and have done for many years. The spirit of the people involved is core to this.”
Liam also made special mention of David Etherden, who is remembered as one of the first to properly develop junior rugby at Keswick and a leading figure in encouraging the first girls to play at the club.
“David was a true visionary and one of Keswick’s great thinkers and achievers,” he said. “There have been many more since, all of them part of the foundations the club stands on today.”
He also praised the club’s facilities, adding: “The clubhouse is amazing - again testament to the people within the club who believed. This building is the cherry on the top.”
The club would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the visit such a memorable and successful occasion. The event highlighted the strength of the rugby community in Keswick and reinforced the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting and developing players of all ages.
Keswick RFC hopes the visit will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring more young people to take up the sport and continue the club’s proud tradition of developing future talent.
Further reading