RNRU Royal Navy Rugby Union

With 15 mins to go in the annual Remembrance Match between the United Kingdom Armed Forces Rugby Union (Armed Forces) Women and the Cardiff Blues Welsh Select team at Cardiff Arms Park the score was 12 points to 0 in favour of the Welsh, 2 substitutions were made one of which was the sole Royal Navy representative, Lt Charlotte Fredrickson RN (currently based in PJHQ, Northwood).  Whether it was the appearance of fresh legs or as a direct result of Charlotte’s inclusion in game (no bias at all) the game started to turn in favour of the Armed Forces Women.  With minutes left on the clock, the Armed Forces Women scored a converted try but immediately had to go on the defensive to stop the Cardiff Blues from extending their lead.  With only 1 minute remaining, the Armed Forces Women scored a second try to tie the score at 12 - 12.  Sadly it was not a fairytale ending with the conversion hitting the cross bar, but the ladies were content that a draw was a fair reflection on the whole game.

Charlotte, who has been playing rugby since 2001 when she was at university has been a RNRU(W) regular since 2004.  An out and out back row player she has been capped officially 10 times in Royal Navy blue and 4 times for the Combined Services Women’s team (former name of the UKAFRU) in 6, 7 and 8 positions.  This 5^th cap though was just that little bit more special,

“To have been selected for the UK Armed Forces Women, alongside such quality players from the Army and RAF is truly an honour.  In a rugby sense this will be the biggest game I will have ever played in.  More importantly, to play at Cardiff Arms Park, against such competitive opposition on Remembrance Weekend will be very poignant and special.  All I hope is that I do the shirt, the Royal Navy and all those who have helped me get here proud.”  Charlotte said before the match.

Three other RNRU(W) players, Lt Helen Stevenson RN (HMS BULWARK), OC Olivia Critchley (DTUS Trojan Sqn) and OC Charlotte Myrans (Wales URNU), were also selected for the initial 29 person squad, but operational commitments and a high level of competition for a place in the final squad for the game saw Charlotte shouldering the full RN representative role in the match alone.  But she wasn’t alone, supported by her parents, friends and Assistant Director of Rugby (Women) (ADoR(W)), Charlotte did every one of them proud.

After the award of the trophy sponsored and donated by the Royal British Legion to both Captains, the Armed Forces Women were presented with their new Caps by the UKAFRU Chairman RAdm Paddy McAlpine, crowning off a wonderful day for the tri service team.  After the match LtCdr Lynne Martin RN, ADoR(W) said:

“I am honoured and exceptionally proud to be here to support Charlotte.  Seeing her run onto the pitch filled me with immense pride as the ADoR to the RNRU(W) and she is a shining example of what can be achieved by Women in Sport in the RN.  This season I feel is the start of something new and great for the RNRU(W).  Their have been numerous changes in the Team Support Group and we are pushing rugby to women at the grass roots level in an attempt to ignite a passion for rugby on the back of the Rugby World Cup.  Hopefully there will be many more good news stories surrounding the RNRU(W).”

Article written by LtCdr David Martin RN - RNRU(W) Comms
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones