A LAKE DISTRICT town is full of pride this week – after England rose Abbie Ward put Keswick on the map in rugby union, helping the rest of her team to victory in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
Ward, from Keswick, was among the try-scorers as the Red Roses defeated Canada at Twickenham to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Cumbrian lock scored in the second half as John Mitchell’s side claimed an impressive 33-13 victory to get their hands on the trophy.
Keswick descended on Twickenham to cheer on Abbie(Image: Louisa Burton)
Mother’s pride…
Abbie’s mum Libby Scott spoke about her pride at the success of her daughter, who she says has worked ‘so hard and been determined to get there’.
She said: “I just thought third time lucky for Abbie please, because we have gone through two world cups and they have nearly got there but not quite. I have watched her train, train, train so hard.
“They’re a great squad, such a great squad , you can see how well jelled they are, just as friends as well as colleagues on the pitch.
“So many people stop me and want to talk about Abbie, even people who are visiting if they overhear a conversation they say ‘we follow your daughter’ its just amazing, I am so very proud and the whole of Keswick they are proud of Abbie.”
Libby said that former Keswick School coach Alan Gray, ‘must have had a vision’ for women’s rugby being an excellent support to Abbie from the age of six, and praised the way women’s rugby has progressed over the years, she said : “It’s just fabulous how the game has come on and the support, to see how many girls are interested in women’s rugby.”
The most special moment…
Podgy Paws pet shop owner and Auntie to Abbie, Chris Harper travelled to Twickenham to watch her niece lift the World Cup.
Speaking about the weekend, she said: “I’ve always been so very proud of Abbie, but this weekend was another level.
I was there for both the other two World Cup finals she played in – Ireland in 2017 & New Zealand in 2022.
“Losing in both those finals was heart breaking. But this time it felt different, the team, the camaraderie, the momentum, it all felt like it was coming together at the perfect time. They were confident but not over confident and they pulled out their best performance at the exact right time. The crowd was so loud.”
Abbie and auntie Chris with the World Cup trophy(Image: Supplied)
Chris also recalled the ‘most special moment’ holding Abbie’s young daughter Hallie in her arms as she watched her mum lift the trophy, she said: ” I had Hallie in my arms as they lifted the trophy and bless her she was clapping like crazy and her eyes were locked on her mum.
“The most special moment that had so many of us in tears and one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Suffice to say the after party was pretty wild too
Cumbrian club’s support for Abbie…
Leanne Grave, a representative for Keswick RFC women and girls, travelled with her family alongside 50+ members of the club (some as young as 12), for a day she said would be ‘etched in many a rugby fans minds but particularly for us at Keswick Rugby Club’ -supporting Abbie Ward and May Campbell in the final
She said: “Both of these women put on Keswick colours as youth players and it’s quite exciting to watch them both on the global stage as Red Roses now. The year leading up to this has been particularly special with Abbie who grew up in Keswick being an active presence at Keswick Rugby Football club by coming to several coaching sessions and fun events at our club in the lead up to the World Cup.
More than 50 people from the club went down to cheer on their former player.(Image: Louisa Burton)
“Particularly special for us was having her here to officially opening our new clubhouse just before she headed off to the World Cup camp. The large numbers of our club members who attended the final in London along with 82000 others is testament to Abbie and all her teammates and how they have impacted the game we all love .
“Watching Abbie putting all her hard work into those minutes on the pitch , leading line outs , scoring tries and making the big hits is the icing on the cake for us as supporters and as a club we couldn’t be prouder. For those that couldn’t make the journey a watch party was well attended at our new clubhouse with many saying how quiet the clubhouse went when Abbie spoke after the match on TV,
“The celebrations both in Keswick and London lasted through the evening and for some the day was extra special as those close to her were able to celebrate with Abbie and her teammates after the match.
“Keswick Rugby Football Club congratulates Abbie and all the Red Roses on not only being World Cup 2025 Champions but also for all that they are doing for the game all of us in the rugby community love . If the world has inspired you to pick up a rugby ball or just come down to the club Keswick Rugby Football Club would love to welcome you.”
Abbie holds up a flag with the Cumbrian RFU clubs on it.(Image: Louisa Burton)
An inspiration…
Penrith and Solway MP, Markus Campbell-Savours said: “It’s great to see the Red Roses secure the World Cup, particularly with Keswick’s Abbie Ward on the team.
“She scored a stunning try, no doubt inspiring the next generation of rugby players in the constituency and watching her with baby Hallie holding the World Cup after all the sacrifices she had to make in the last few weeks was really heart warming.”
Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer said: “A huge congratulations to the England women’s team following their win at the weekend- especially to our Cumbrian Red rose Abbie Ward.
“It was great to meet Abbie when we were through at Keswick Rugby club for the opening of the new clubhouse . When people like Abbie do what they do women’s rugby can only grow and grow.”
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