Women In Sport with Katie Catherall

Rugby is no longer a ‘testosterone driven sport’ with women making a positive impact both on and off the pitch. 

Katy Davies has been playing for Aldwinians Ladies RUFC since 2018 and has fallen in love with rugby. She decided to take the plunge and start the sport after her husband and son were already rugby enthusiasts.

Katy was made captain of the team last season. “It was a huge honour to have received captain and getting onto the pitch with my teammates is honestly the best feeling”. She was also appointed as a trustee at the club, helping to represent the ladies’ team and create a movement in their development. 

Women’s rugby has seen a surge in recent years with the emergence of professional games. Katy spoke of how this has had a massive leap in the growth of the sport. “It’s had a huge impact not only at Aldwinians, but in every progressive club who have made the transition and embraced the women’s game. 

“Women have made a positive impact with their ability to organise and make plans, we’ve definitely given the men a run for their money socially!”. 

Katy is a mother of three, all of which are now involved in rugby. Katy believes it’s important for parents to find an activity that they enjoy doing, especially a sport. “I didn’t realise how much I’d been missing out on myself. The time training or playing matches with your teammates gives you breathing space away from everything else”. 

The whole family is now involved within rugby and it has become an incredible bonding activity for them. When the idea of a ladies team circulated, Katy decided to try it out and she’s never looked back. “I’d never taken part in any sport before this. I’d been trying to lose weight and build my self-esteem, whilst also dealing with my mental health. Rugby gave me something to really focus on”. 

Aldwinians are always on the lookout for new recruits and are willing to welcome anyone into the team. With England becoming the first fully professional women’s rugby nation, it’s an incredible sport to play.