Wales squad member Ffion Lewis surprised aspiring rugby player, nine year old Hope Flowers at her school assembly with the news that she has been chosen as Wales Women’s lead mascot for their opening autumn Test.
Wales Women take on South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow (11.30) and Hope was presented with a full, replica Wales kit for the occasion. She will join Wales captain Carys Phillips for the anthems and armistice remembrance activity.
Shona Powell-Hughes, Women and Girls’ Game Changer said, “Hope plays for the Arrows cluster in Pontypool and has shown real determination and commitment to improving as a player. She doesn’t miss a training session and always gives 100% in learning new skills and listening to her coaches. She’s a real team player too and a popular member of her cluster team.”
Hope will be part of a real celebration of girls’ rugby at the Arms Park tomorrow. Girls from all 32 clusters around Wales have been invited to attend the game, providing representatives to line up alongside Hope and both teams for the national anthems and the last post and forming a half-time celebration parade. Cardiff Quins U15s will provide the ball girls for the match
Dave Roberts, Women and Girls’ Game Changer for North Wales said, “The girls are thrilled to be representing their clusters at the Wales international. We have a numbers of busses and cars travelling from all corners of the North Wales region including one from Anglesey leaving well before dawn!”
Wales Women v South Africa (Cardiff Arms Park, 11.30) kicks off Wales Women’s autumn series. They also play Hong Kong (Friday 16 November, 7pm) and Canada (Saturday 24 November), also at the Arms Park.
Tickets £5 adults, all concessions £1 available from the ticket booth adjacent to Principality Stadium Gate 2 from 10.30am. No cash inside Cardiff Arms Park.
WRU Girls’ Clusters:
East Wales: Miners, Capitals, Red Kites, Chargers, Arrows, Jesters, Knights, Timbers, Islanders, Bridgers, Mariners
West Wales: Talbot Reds, West Swansea Hawks, Valley Hawks, Ogwr Hawks, East Hawks, Wildcats, Taf Valley Tigers, Bae Ceredigion, Stradey Sospans
North Wales: Mon Stars, Mor Ladron, Dreigiau’r Glannau, Y Celtiaid, Rebels, Gwylliad Meirionnydd, Valkyries, Ravens, Ceirw Nant
