Maisy Allen: “Listening to the love that women's rugby had was really cool”
With the Rugby World Cup coming to an end this weekend, attention will quickly turn to the legacy the tournament will leave behind.
More girls and women involved in rugby would be one aim, but with thousands of new supporters packing into sell-out venues, it is hoped these fans will start to support their local PWR teams.
As a Rugby World Cup venue, Sandy Park is hoping to benefit from this anticipated growth in supporters. This tournament has sold more than 440,000 tickets, which was 100,000 more than World Rugby’s original objective and three times the tickets sold for the last women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Almost 60,000 of those tickets were sold at Sandy Park.
It was one of just three grounds of the eight used throughout the tournament that is usually home to a PWR women’s team, so it will be easy for local fans to continue following the sport.
Exeter Chiefs Women also supplied 12 players to six different nations competing in the Rugby World Cup, so supporters should be able to recognise some familiar faces on the pitch.
For fans who did come to Sandy Park for one of its seven Rugby World Cup games, they may also spot a few others from the Exeter Chiefs ranks who had slightly different roles on these match-days.
Chiefs cup vice-captain Maisy Allen explained: “Myself and six other girls did the flag bearing on the pitch before the games happened. So, the big three flags that you saw, two for the countries and then one of the big World Cup ones that get unveiled just before the teams come out. Then you wave them a bit and then you put them away and run off and then watch the game. It was really fun!”
It meant Allen and her Chiefs teammates got to enjoy being spectators at Sandy Park and were able to relish the enthusiasm around them for women’s rugby.
“It was amazing,” continued Allen. “Obviously World Cup games were all over the UK but having so many down at Sandy Park was really special. It seems silly waving the flags, but we were able to be that little part of the World Cup. Being on the pitch and hearing the crowd and listening to the love that women's rugby had was really cool.”
Crowd numbers at Sandy Park for Exeter Chiefs Women’s games are some of the best in the league with a strong core of loyal fans boosted by healthy interest in the game locally, with numerous Devon teams supporting girls’ and women’s teams. Allen is keen to see more of these supporters here after the World Cup has ended.
“It's still an event, maybe it's not got all the fireworks and pyrotechnics going off in the background, but it's still a huge, huge day out, and what's really nice is that it's really inclusive for friends and family too. Come along, you get some really good quality rugby.
“Maybe it's not going to be like your England versus New Zealand, but you've got some really strong international players and girls who have played in the World Cup and are coming back. All of those players will be there.
“As much as we want you guys to come, you guys should want to come! We play really good rugby and it's an exciting time to be a part of the sport now. It's growing and is really, really like cool to be a part of. So, get down to Sandy Park and cheer us on!”
Tickets for Exeter Chiefs Women’s games are just £11 for adults and £5.50 for youths and children. Under-twos go free. Money-saving season tickets are also available at £80 for adults and £36 for youths and children. Men’s season ticket holders get the women’s games as part of their package.
Chiefs Women’s first home fixture is against current PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury. Gloucester-Hartpury boast England captain Zoe Aldcroft amid their ranks, along with fellow Red Roses Mackenzie Carson, Tatyana Heard, Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Jade Shekells and Emma Sing. Supporters who came to World Cup games at Sandy Park, will also recognise players from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Tickets are available here.
The full video version of this interview is available here.