Cumbria Women’s chances of silverware on their first trip to the home of rugby have been heightened after we stepped in to make sure they reached their fundraising total.
This is the opinion of Cumbria coach Ally Ratcliffe, a former Scotland international, after the team reached its target of £5,000 ahead of their game with Devon for the Gill Burns County Championship title at Twickenham on Sunday, meaning they can travel to London on Saturday and stay overnight.
On hearing the team were more than £1,500 away from their target, Managing Director, Nicky Gordon made the decision to donate the remainder of the total which will allow the women to get a good night’s sleep and prepare better for their milestone appearance at Twickenham.
Ally said: “I’ve coached Cumbria Women for 10 years and playing at Twickenham has always been our goal. After a great deal of perseverance and talent, we have finally made it and we’re all really excited about the experience.
“But we’re definitely not going there to just make up the numbers; we’re travelling down to win. The amazing donation from Genesis Homes means we stand a better chance as we can prepare better and stay overnight the night before, as our only other option was to leave Cumbria at 4am for an 11am kick off and that is not ideal preparation for the biggest game in our history.
“We are so grateful to Genesis Homes for stepping in and making sure we can get down there and focus solely on our rugby, and we hope we can get the win and put Cumbria Rugby on the map. It is great to have the support of such an established and prestigious business which helps its local community.”
Nicky Gordon, our Managing Director, played rugby at Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks academies as a teenager until a series of injuries curtailed his progress.
He was keen to support Cumbria on their first visit to Twickenham after being kept up to date with their results from our very own Genesis Homes Project Manager Josie Scrimgour, who will play on the wing this Sunday.
Nicky said: “When I was made aware that Cumbria Women Rugby were £1,500 off their fundraising total, I had no hesitation in topping up the total to make sure the team were able to enjoy the best preparation possible for what is such a milestone occasion in the team’s history.
“As a business with its roots firmly in Cumbria, we are passionate about supporting the communities which have shown us great support to help us get to where we are as one of the largest homebuiders across the North West.
“The team has already done the county proud by making it to the final and we will be supporting Josie and her teammates on Sunday, and are confident they can bring the silverware up north.”
To reach the Gill Burns County Championship, Cumbria defeated Staffordshire, Oxfordshire and Essex. The game on Sunday kicks off at 11am.
