We Sat down with Co-Vice Captain of Sale FC 1861 Women to find out a little bit more about her journey within the team
Zena, this is your 3rd season with the team now. What is it like to be part of this rapidly growing women’s rugby team at Sale FC?”
ZF : It’s a really exciting time to be a part of Sale FC. Turning up to the first day of preseason and seeing so many new faces was really motivating , it made me really proud that we are a club that women and girls all over the North West want to play for.
“What first inspired you to get into rugby, and how did your journey begin?”
ZF : I had grown up around rugby through my dad and brother but never played. I had seen an advert for an inner warrior session at my local club when I was living in Newcastle and went along, enjoyed myself and never stopped playing. When I moved to Manchester for work I came to Sale, loved the girls and the club. In terms of role models I think anyone of the red roses would get my pick and also USA sevens player Ilona Maher is doing amazing work promoting the sport and is amazing to watch but I absolutely love Gill Burns, such a legend and a proper trailblazer for the womens game.
“As the team grows and now has a second team, what changes have you noticed?”
ZF: I think everyone has been extra motivated this preseason to perform and graft. The extra players mean more competition for shirts which is a great dynamic to have but also the players that were here last season have taken on a really supportive role, teaching the newer players and youngsters who have come up from the m&js. I can tell that everyone is really proud that we’ve taken this step to create a second team and a secure pathway so the juniors can stay at sale and thrive.
“What message would you like to share with other women and girls who might be interested in playing rugby?”
