RUNNING out at Twickenham is the dream for every grassroots rugby player and two North Petherton RFC Ladies stalwarts are getting the chance to do just that next month.
32-year-old Kate Williams, from Bridgwater, and flanker Natasha Palmer set up the club’s ladies section and have now been chosen for a NatWest Grassroots Barbarians side to play at HQ on June 9.
They are part of the NatWest Grassroots Barbarians team, coached by Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood, who will pit their wits against another team made up of players from grassroots rugby clubs across the UK.
Palmer revelled in being selected by her team-mates, saying: “I’m bursting with pride.
“It’s a massive thing. I could never have imagined we’d get the chance to do it – I don’t think anyone does.
“One of the nicest things is that Kate and I were voted as the two from our club who should play.
"To know we’ve got the team’s backing is really nice.
“We set up the club and to see it blossom from there is amazing.
“Everyone involved is coming up to Twickenham to watch and support us, so I think it’s going to be a special day.”
This year, all clubs that registered for NatWest RugbyForce were entered into a draw for their chance for club players to be selected to join the Grassroots Barbarians.
On June 9, four teams of the most committed players from clubs around the country will go head-to-head, supported by their clubs, rugby legends and current players to celebrate the grassroots game.
Greenwood, who led his squad through a coaching day in the Midlands last weekend, said: “It’s really is a tiny fraction of the rugby population who get to run out into the iconic, 80,000 seater stadium.
“Most of them will have seen it on the telly and now they’re stepping into the shoes of titans and having a dig themselves. It’s a wonderful initiative.”
NatWest is the Official Banking Partner of England Rugby. This year NatWest RugbyForce is making it easier for grassroots clubs to access rugby through its NatWest Grassroots Barbarians initiative, offering grassroots players the chance to play at Twickenham on June 9
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