England Red Roses legend Mo passes on tips to budding rugby stars at Pontefract
Red Rose World Cup winning star Natasha “Mo” Hunt was in Pontefract to pass on some of her wisdom of playing at the highest level of women’s rugby union to youngsters just starting out in the sport.
Mo – who played in last September’s Women’s World Cup final when England beat Canada 33-13 – visited Pontefract RUFC’s headquarters at Moor Lane where she helped coach a session and spent time with young girls who are dreaming of one day emulating her.
Women’s and girls rugby is booming at Ponte with increasing numbers of participants who are being inspired by the success of Mo and her teammates in making England the best team in the world.
They are set to benefit from being one of eight clubs nationwide to receive funding from the Volvic Force of Nature Fund, with the money set to be used to improve access, facilities, coaching and visibility so Pontefract’s female players can receive the same opportunities as the male side at the club.
The players will now be keen to get out onto the pitch to put into practice some the tips they picked up from the England legend.
They were able to learn from one of the best with Natasha Hunt enjoying a stellar career and standing out as one of England rugby’s most accomplished and respected scrum-halves.
Renowned for her sharp playing style and quick, accurate passing, Hunt has been an essential figure in the England Red Roses team, earning 88 caps since making her Red Roses debut aged 22 against the USA in 2011.
Three years later she helped England to the ultimate prize of winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup and started in the final against Canada.
She also played in the 2017 Women's World Cup final in Ireland and has been at the centre of numerous Guinness Women’s Six Nations titles for England while helping her club, Gloucester-Hartpury, to the Premiership Women’s Rugby trophy for three years in a row.
In addition to the 15-a-side format, Hunt played sevens for both England and T eam GB, competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics and delayed Tokyo Olympics.
On her involvement with the Volvic she said: “It is not simply about participation, but about ensuring young players see sport as a credible career path and a source of lasting enjoyment.
"Volvic’s Force of Nature Fund represents a part of the work helping to widen access so that more girls can take to the field and strengthening the foundations of rugby for generations to come.”