The event was a highlight of the ongoing “Missing Caps” campaign, which aims to ensure all players who have represented Wales are recognised and honoured for their contributions to the sport.
The Prince of Wales, Patron of the WRU, attended the event and presented Rhi Price, a member of the 1998 Wales Women’s squad, with her missing cap. The Prince also presented brooches to players from various decades, symbolising their significant role in the development of women’s rugby in Wales.
The WRU launched the “Missing Caps” campaign to find players who have been capped by the Wales Women’s team during their games from the first Women’s international match in 1987 to the present day. Records from the era prior to the women’s game being fully incorporated into the WRU are incomplete with many player names missing. The campaign aims to ensure that all players who represented Wales in the past receive their place in Welsh rugby history.
Since the campaign launched in 2021, fifty women have been awarded their caps at ceremonies across Wales. The WRU believes that there are at least 27 women who have played for Wales whom they are yet to find.
On the day, The Prince met with members of the Wales women’s U20s squad, current senior international Kelsey Jones and a series of women from across the history of the game in Wales, such as first cap Amanda Bennet and first Wales Women’s captain Liza Burgess.
Speaking about his visit to the BBC, WRU CEO Abi Tierney said meeting Prince William at Parc y Scarlets was “amazing” for women’s rugby.
She said it was “such an uplifting day” to see Prince William celebrate the women players that were not recognised at the time.
“He was so passionate about it, and wanted to know all the detail about how we’re supporting the game, he was genuinely interested,” she said.
“The fact that our patron personally wanted to do this to help raise the profile to help us find the last 27 caps is just amazing.
“He was telling the women how much he cares passionately about women’s sport. He was talking so openly about the challenges of playing what is quite a physical sport.
“He put them all at ease. Hopefully, he’s raised the profile and we’ll find those last ones who we can’t find now we’re down to the last few.”
The event served as a powerful reminder of the remarkable achievements of Wales Women’s rugby players throughout the years and a celebration of the ongoing commitment to recognizing their contributions to the sport. It also comes ahead of Wales Women’s match against Australia at Rodney Parade next Friday. Show your support and buy tickets here.
