Millie, aged 12 and her mum, Louise were kindly offered tickets to watch Huddersfield Giants at the John Smiths Stadium back in March as the Giants took on Wigan in a big clash.
Although the Giants fell to a narrow defeat that evening, there was a real sense of excitement pre and post match! The next news, Millie expressed a keen interest in playing Rugby League.
The following Wednesday, she attended a training session at Newsome Panthers U12’s girls. That sealed the deal for Millie, coming home with a pair of playing boots, she was elated beyond words.
In Millie’s younger years she has had various health struggles, from the age of 4 she was critically ill from Sepsis as a result of Meningitis B.
There has been constant worries about her health over the years, luckily she is the most utmost fighter and never lets anything get in her way and her competitiveness knows no bounds!
To the following Wednesday training session at The Panthers, Millie was informed there was a fixture vs Dewsbury Moor that coming Saturday. Millie not being shy took the challenge to play part of the game!
She took straight to the field with a hunger and smile on her face to do well, with her family watching with pure pride.
At the end of the game Millie, to her amazement was handed the Player of the Match Award! A moment to treasure with a beaming smile from ear to ear!
Louise, Millie’s mum comments on her journey into Rugby: “Her passion makes us so proud and I’m sure her Great-Uncle Tom Keaveney MBE one of the founders of BARLA would be looking down with just as much admiration.”
Huddersfield Giants Community Trust has had real pleasure capturing the journey. Millie’s journey wouldn’t have continued without the community club spirit, this highlighted by Newsome Panthers welcoming approach to new and interested players.
At Newsome Panthers ARLFC they take the local communities passion for the sport and provide girls and women the opportunity to play Rugby League.
Usually when girls reach U12’s, their journey stagnates as they can no longer play with boys. Newsome see the strength, resilience and camaraderie that Rugby provides to girls.
They have worked extremely hard to continue the growth of the women’s game. At press they have 80 girls signed up with girls teams at U12, U14 and U16.
Kathryn Buckley, secretary of Newsome Panthers: “Supporting the girls game and creating the same opportunities that the boys have is what it’s all about.
“The joy on the faces of each player, the team work and the friendships created in such a short time is just fantastic! We welcome players and make them part of the Panthers family – that is a really special moment for us.”
The Panthers train on a weekly basis, with an open invite to anyone who is interested in trying Rugby for the first time. The training times are
- U12 Girls (year 6 & 7) – Wednesday and Thursday nights 6-7pm.
- U14 Girls (year 8 & 9) – Wednesday 6-7pm and Saturday mornings.
- U16 Girls (year 10 & 11) – Wednesdays 6-7pm and Saturday 9-10am.
Check out www.newsomepanthersarlfc.co.uk for more information or find them on Facebook @newsomepanthersgt
