Charity rugby game puts spotlight on women

An upcoming rugby charity match aims to boost the women’s game in the North East and raise vital funds for Military vs Cancer.

Taking place on June 21 at Kingston Park, home of Newcastle Falcons, the double-header will see a North East Women’s XV take on the UK Armed Forces Women, followed by the men’s clash. 

It’s the second biggest women’s rugby event in the North East this year, coming just weeks before the Women’s Rugby World Cup opens at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, on August 22.

Several players have returned to represent the North East team after leaving the region to pursue professional rugby, including Sophie Shams, Meg Gardener, Linzi Taylor and Evie Tonkin.

Organisers hope the event will boost support for women’s rugby and attract local sponsors, with Francesca Johnson-Harding, chair of Rugby NE Women’s Rugby, calling on local businesses to help prevent a “brain drain” to the North West and South of England as talented players leave the region following the demise of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.

Francesca said: “The Military vs Cancer game on June 21 is the biggest game we will be playing this year.

“This game is the second of four fixtures for the North East Women’s XV in 2025, as we have secured two more fixtures on August 20 and August 29 with the USA collegiate.

“Students in Teesside, Sunderland, Leeds, Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham are all expected to take part.”

Francesca added: “We will be bringing back some of the ex-Darlington Mowden Park Sharks players, who played in our region when we had this premiership team but have now moved away to pursue their rugby careers.

“We are hoping to regain some investment in the women’s game in our region and with a global brand like Red Bull in talks with Newcastle Falcons over a potential takeover, perhaps now is the time to highlight the need to invest in the women’s game.”

Steven Colwell, president of Durham University RFC, who has played an integral role in the build-up to the event, added: “We look forward to returning to Kingston Park.

“It’s an opportunity for some of the North’s top players to pay their respects to our servicemen and raise money and awareness for Military vs Cancer.

“Our men are determined to avenge last year’s defeat to the UK Armed Forces team, and for our women, it’s an opportunity to fly the flag for women’s rugby in a region so desperately in need of these great, high-level events.

“As a group, we are grateful to Military vs Cancer, a charity who make a real difference and inspire us to play for them.”

Far more than just elite rugby, the event will also celebrate resilience and remembrance, honouring Corporal Tim Crossin RM and Lance Corporal Nathan Summersgill-Smith RM, two servicemen who lost their battles with cancer but whose courage and legacy continue to inspire the charity’s work.

Having raised £48,000 for the charity last year, organisers are hopeful of topping that total this time round.

David Bathgate, chief executive of Military vs Cancer, added: “Supporting the Armed Forces community through cancer is at the very heart of our mission, and paying tribute to Tim and Nathan allows us to highlight just how vital that support is. 

“This is more than a rugby match – it’s a show of unity, remembrance and a commitment to ensuring no one in our military family faces cancer alone.”

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children, with free entry for military personnel and veterans. See here for further details.

The North East Women’s XV are looking for corporate sponsorship, with prices starting from as little as £150 to cover a player’s kit, all the way up to lead partner level sponsorship. 

For a sponsorship brochure, contact Sarah Walker at SASS Media on 07896 894538 or via email at sarah.walker@sassmedialtd.co.uk

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