The Commons and Lords Rugby Football Team faced the RAF Vultures last week in a match which saw Rugby MP Mark Pawsey join the Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch MP, and former England women’s captain Catherine Spencer in playing for the Parliamentary team.
The match marked the first time a mixed gender team of Parliamentarians has taken to the field to play Rugby Union. The game was hosted by the RAF at the Honourable Artillery Company in London. As well as Tracy Crouch MP and Catherine Spencer, Anne Marie Trevelyan MP and Anna Turley MP also joined the Parliamentary team.
Catherine Spencer, who captained the England Women’s Rugby team to three successive 6 Nations victories and a World Cup final, has subsequently founded Inspiring Women. The organisation gives women who have achieved success the opportunity to share their stories and lessons. Catherine visited Rugby town ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and spoke about her life and experiences as one of England’s most successful Rugby players.
The hard fought match eventually ended 17-14 in favour of the RAF Vultures.
Speaking after the game, Mark said:
“It’s always a great pleasure to be able to run out for the Commons and Lords Team and take part in some friendly – but competitive – Rugby. I’d like to thank the RAF Vultures for their hard work in arranging the game and for all those who played or helped behind the scenes.”
Mark continued:
“As Chair of the Commons and Lords Rugby team, I had the honour of bringing the Parliamentary World Cup to Rugby as the birthplace of the game last year. We’ve now had another historic match, with a mixed gender team playing for the Commons and Lords for the first time.”
Mark concluded:
“I’m very pleased that Tracy Crouch MP and Catherine Spencer were able to join us for the game and take part. After what has been a great year for the sport of Rugby Union, I hope we can continue to build on this in 2017 and perhaps even the score against the RAF the next time we play.”