I was young and impressionable, with such a narrow view of the world. Those women helped me grow up. They set me straight when I was spouting nonsense and told me I was wonderful whilst drumming a ‘can do’ attitude into me. We sang, played, laughed and rabble roused, but I quietly listened to their aspirations of a life outside of the average 9-5 job, that I was on course to do.
“I was moved to tears”: Red Rose #37 Jacquie Preston reflects on the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
Published
Written by Jacquie Preston, Red Rose #37
When the Red Roses lifted the World Cup at Twickenham in front of a record-breaking 81,885 fans, it seemed only fitting that I was sitting in the stadium, next to my sister, Maxine, who was there at the beginning when we first laced up our boots over 40 years ago.
If there was a right way to win a World Cup, that was it. They played a blinder against good opposition and they had carried us with them. Girls and women would be inspired to play because of them, and they very graciously paid homage to old pioneers.
“Rugby just swept me up and carried me away, for seventeen happy years. I was a young teen who loved music and playing sports and was hooked from the very first session.”
Women who had been introduced to the sport at university had started to return to their hometowns with a will to continue playing. Kathryn Hennessy and Janet Wood were founding member of Bromley Rugby Club – now Blackheath.
I joined very close to inception when they fly posted the local area and caught my sister, Maxine (Red Rose #36). I was asked to attend only because they were so short on numbers but, yes, we were there at ‘ground zero’ just before the leagues were formed.
Before I played, rugby wasn’t a sport that I knew about. I had heard of it but didn’t know the rules or that women played. It was the original case of ‘If you can’t see it you can’t be it’.
From those early days at Bromley Rugby Club, I went on to play for England. I was selected as a travelling reserve for the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. Hard to believe now that my employer wouldn’t give me any time off – even though a very famous male athlete had previously been given time off to compete.
To me, being called up felt like a form of National Service. I was so proud and thought my employer would think so too. Instead, I had to take my whole annual leave entitlement at once. It was worth it though, I learned a lot. The professionalism and fitness of the USA Team (WC winners ’91) inspired me and so many players to take a step up and forward in terms of playing, training and determination.
In the year leading up to the 1994 World Cup, I gave up my job which was tough. I struggled finding money to ensure I could travel, pay for physiotherapy and eat correctly as well as attending regional and national camps.
The endless car shares and early morning starts were relentless. I only realise now how lucky I was to be surrounded by people who gave so much of themselves to help me. The rugby club supported me financially and countless others gave their time for free.
The wonderful John Hillier took me under his wing for track and strength and conditioning; Simon Crabb and Mark Francis were steady rugby voices when I wavered; and the late, great John Ismay Metcalfe even let me stay rent-free at his house during my World Cup year. Alongside this, the introduction of the first lottery sport grants transformed what was possible, changing how I could train, and ultimately, how I could play.
The sweetest whistle I ever heard was the last sound of final of the Women’s World Cup in ’94. Beating USA 38-23 to be crowned World Champions felt like the beginning of the next level.
“Relief was very quickly superseded by a level of joy I don’t think I have felt since. I am missing from the official photo as I was being carried around the pitch, fitting that I was being borne on the shoulders of the women who helped to get me there.”
Stepping away from rugby was painful, all of my friends and focus had been wrapped up in the sport since I was 16. But I think that level of discipline gave me the courage to return to my first love, music – and to build a career that brought both creativity and purpose.
Today, I’m proud to work for the Rugby Players Association, supporting the careers and wellbeing of professional players, ensuring they have the voice and support many of us once lacked.
Watching the Red Roses stride out at Twickenham this summer, the stadium erupting in cheers, (pitched a few semi-tones higher than the usual roar) I was moved to tears. Me and Maxine did allow ourselves a little daydream about what heights we might have reached had we enjoyed the support these women now receive.
But I don’t envy them, I am so proud of them especially how they very generously took us with them. In fact, our names are stitched into the lining of their World Cup blazers, beside every Rose who went before.
Yes, life has come full circle, I saw strong women who encouraged me to play. The England Red Roses saw us and joined the party and now the whole world is watching and a new generation of young women and girls can ‘see it and be it’. How great is that?