Chasing Sevens: Issy’s Journey Through Trials, Triumphs, and Top-Level Coaching in Girls’ Rugby

As the next rugby season approached, we heard that a Sevens club called UR7s, which her big brother Archie played for, was opening trials for a new girls team. Issy leaped at the chance to play even more rugby, so off we went to North London for her trial for their first girls’ squad.

When we arrived, Issy was thrilled to spot a familiar face Amy Wilson Hardy, one of the players from her incredible day with the Girls Rugby Club (led by Rachel Burford). It had been a while since they’d seen each other, and Issy was now nearly as tall as Amy.

The day went well, with Issy standing out for her speed and passing skills. The coaches gave her excellent feedback, saying they’d let us know within the week if she’d made the team. Just a few days later, the email arrived Issy was in! The dates and venues for training sessions were set, and so began our rugby road-trip adventures.

With UR7s training added to the mix, Issy’s schedule became busier than ever. She was already playing with Wimbledon RFC’s girls U15s on Sundays and keeping up her daily routine of “can you take me kicking, Daddy?”

Now, she would also be fitting in Sevens practices, along with extra sessions from the School of Kicking and half-term camps wherever she could find them.

Sevens training took us all over the south of England to different rugby clubs, where Issy’s skills improved rapidly. She began standing out more and more, and she met other talented, hardworking girls who shared her passion for the game. She was thrilled to make new friends and face tougher challenges exactly what she’d been looking for. The girls trained hard for the North vs. South festival that UR7s was hosting at the season’s end. Though, due to illness and some last-minute dropouts, the North couldn’t field a team, Issy and I headed home pleased that she’d had the chance to watch some great rugby and receive coaching from international-level trainers.

Thanks to UR7s, Issy’s progress was accelerating, and she couldn’t wait for the next season to begin. Her dedication to rugby was paying off. Coaches were keen to speak with her and help her improve, and she always came ready with thoughtful, intelligent questions about the game. Exposure to top players and coaches meant she was getting answers that helped her grow as an athlete.

When the season finally came to an end, it was bittersweet for Issy. She’d worked incredibly hard and achieved fantastic milestones. But with the rapid growth of girls’ rugby, the RFU had decided to change the age brackets. Most of Issy’s friends were now in the bracket above, which meant they wouldn’t be playing with her next season. She was heartbroken and even threatened to quit. I did my best to reassure her, telling her she’d meet new friends who’d be just as passionate about the game. After a couple of weeks, she decided it wasn’t so bad, and crisis was averted.

Little did we know that the next season would turn into something special for her and her new teammates.

I’m glad that this little bump didn’t end her rugby journey before it had truly begun.