RNRU (Women) team captain selected to represent the UK Armed Forces in Wales
Royal Navy Rugby Union (Women) team captain Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Fredrickson has been selected to represent the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) Women against Wales Women at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday 8th November 2017. This is the UKAF Women's annual Remembrance Match, held to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in military service, and also to raise funds for the vital work of the Royal British Legion.
Returning to the UKAF side is Navy Rugby stalwart, Charlotte, whose role in the Royal Navy is as a Flight Observer in the Fleet Air Arm. Charlotte is extremely proud to have been selected to represent the UK Armed Forces and speaking of what this means to her she said “getting selected for UKAF is a huge honour. Not only it is the highest level of service rugby but more importantly I get to commemorate Remembrance Day in a way that is important to me and I get to do that with a great group of people all of whom I can fully share that experience with”.
The biggest influences on Charlotte's playing career have been her parents. As a child, her father coached mini rugby and this is where her rugby playing started. Charlotte has captained the Royal Navy Women’s side and has also been capped for Saracens in the Women’s premiership.
Joining Charlotte at the UKAF training camp was trainee Air Engineering Officer, Midshipman Olivia Critchley, who started her rugby career at Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College. Olivia admits that her first ever rugby season was an accident; she actually wanted to go climbing but there wasn't enough spaces in the club! Olivia has not looked back since and has represented the North England Academy, as well as the Royal Navy. Olivia says that Charlotte Fredrickson has been the greatest influence on her playing career and she really benefited from have the opportunity to train alongside the best of the Armed Forces Women's Rugby players this week.
If you would like to follow in the footsteps of Charlotte and Olivia and are a serving member of the Royal Navy or the Royal Naval Reserve then come along and join in. The Royal Navy Rugby Union has a new Women's Rugby coaching programme that is designed for absolute beginners, returning players and regular players alike. The weekly sessions take place at regional hubs - in Plymouth, Yeovilton and the Portsmouth area, with the same sessions being delivered in each venue in order to ensure that those travelling between bases or attending courses can attend the full programme wherever they are. See further details.
And if you want the chance to see a superb game of rugby at a fabulous stadium, then tickets for the UKAF v Wales Women match are available on the gate priced £5 for adults and £1 for children. Kick off is at 1930. The match will also be recorded by BFBS and highlights will appear on Thursday with more coverage in the Friday Sports Round Up.
Words by John Brennan
Images: Crown Copyright 2017 © LPhot Roberts & Royal Navy Rugby Union © John Walton