The AP photographs a women’s rugby grassroots team from training to a game to the postgame
The AP photographs a women’s rugby grassroots team from training to a game to the postgame
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, is tackled as she carries the ball during a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby player Kirstie Friend breaks free of a tackle as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Cally Blanco, a procurement specialist, leaps to catch the ball as the team warms up for their rugby match against Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s women’s rugby player Poppy Blake-Edwards releases the ball as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players from Epsom and Sutton and Teddington’s women’s XV, right, in action during their rugby match against at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Cally Blanco to the left and Kate Richards of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, right, stands in the changing room with her teammates before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team players Louise Gibbons, left, and Ellie Stocker defend as they play against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Chloe Spriggs, left, takes a moment as members of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, second left, keeps hold of the ball as she is tackled during the women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, left, poses for photographs with fans ahead of the women’s rugby union match between Ealing Trailfinders and Bristol Bears at the Trailfinders Sports Ground in London, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The logo of the Teddington women’s XV is seen on a players shorts during their rugby match against Epson and Sutton women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Spectators and dogs watch play during the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson 2nd XV in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Louise Gibbons, left, and Rosie Newton take drinks in a local pub following a rugby training session by Teddington women’s XV, in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players come in for a drink during a break in the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, reacts as food is prepared in the club house following their rugby match against Sutton and Epsom 2nd XV at Bushy Park and in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, center, reacts following the rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players wait for drinks after the Teddington women’s rugby XV played Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV in the club house bar at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby XV warm up using the tackle pads before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, has a drink in the bar of the club house after playing rugby against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV in Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher holds an ice bag as she walks on the pitch after the end of women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, walks towards the club house with her mother, after playing rugby against Sutton and Epson 2nd XV, at Bushy Park, in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, is tackled as she carries the ball during a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, is tackled as she carries the ball during a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby player Kirstie Friend breaks free of a tackle as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby player Kirstie Friend breaks free of a tackle as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Cally Blanco, a procurement specialist, leaps to catch the ball as the team warms up for their rugby match against Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Cally Blanco, a procurement specialist, leaps to catch the ball as the team warms up for their rugby match against Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s women’s rugby player Poppy Blake-Edwards releases the ball as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s women’s rugby player Poppy Blake-Edwards releases the ball as the team train under floodlights at their Bushy Park pitch in London, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players from Epsom and Sutton and Teddington’s women’s XV, right, in action during their rugby match against at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players from Epsom and Sutton and Teddington’s women’s XV, right, in action during their rugby match against at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Cally Blanco to the left and Kate Richards of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Cally Blanco to the left and Kate Richards of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, right, stands in the changing room with her teammates before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, right, stands in the changing room with her teammates before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team players Louise Gibbons, left, and Ellie Stocker defend as they play against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby team players Louise Gibbons, left, and Ellie Stocker defend as they play against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Chloe Spriggs, left, takes a moment as members of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Chloe Spriggs, left, takes a moment as members of Teddington women’s rugby team use weights as they train at the club house in Bushy Park in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, second left, keeps hold of the ball as she is tackled during the women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, second left, keeps hold of the ball as she is tackled during the women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, left, poses for photographs with fans ahead of the women’s rugby union match between Ealing Trailfinders and Bristol Bears at the Trailfinders Sports Ground in London, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher, left, poses for photographs with fans ahead of the women’s rugby union match between Ealing Trailfinders and Bristol Bears at the Trailfinders Sports Ground in London, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The logo of the Teddington women’s XV is seen on a players shorts during their rugby match against Epson and Sutton women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
The logo of the Teddington women’s XV is seen on a players shorts during their rugby match against Epson and Sutton women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Spectators and dogs watch play during the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson 2nd XV in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Spectators and dogs watch play during the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson 2nd XV in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Louise Gibbons, left, and Rosie Newton take drinks in a local pub following a rugby training session by Teddington women’s XV, in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Louise Gibbons, left, and Rosie Newton take drinks in a local pub following a rugby training session by Teddington women’s XV, in London, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players come in for a drink during a break in the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players come in for a drink during a break in the rugby match between Teddington women’s XV and Sutton and Epson women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, reacts as food is prepared in the club house following their rugby match against Sutton and Epsom 2nd XV at Bushy Park and in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, reacts as food is prepared in the club house following their rugby match against Sutton and Epsom 2nd XV at Bushy Park and in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, center, reacts following the rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, center, reacts following the rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players wait for drinks after the Teddington women’s rugby XV played Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV in the club house bar at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Players wait for drinks after the Teddington women’s rugby XV played Epsom and Sutton women’s 2nd XV in the club house bar at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby XV warm up using the tackle pads before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington women’s rugby XV warm up using the tackle pads before a rugby match against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV, at Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, has a drink in the bar of the club house after playing rugby against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV in Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Chloe Spriggs, right, a year 4 teacher, has a drink in the bar of the club house after playing rugby against Sutton and Epsom women’s 2nd XV in Bushy Park in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher holds an ice bag as she walks on the pitch after the end of women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Bristol Bears’ Ilona Maher holds an ice bag as she walks on the pitch after the end of women’s rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol, England, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, walks towards the club house with her mother, after playing rugby against Sutton and Epson 2nd XV, at Bushy Park, in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
Teddington’s Molly Behling, a design engineer, walks towards the club house with her mother, after playing rugby against Sutton and Epson 2nd XV, at Bushy Park, in London, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlotte Coney)
It’s dark and cold on a week night in January as the Teddington Antlers women’s rugby team take to their muddy pitch for training.
Humming generators power the floodlights that barely light half the field in Bushy Park, next door to Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII’s former home.
Soon, clouds of breaths show how hard the women are working on passing and tackling, scrums and lineouts, rucks and mauls.
The harsh light picks out sweating faces as they run, bind, jump and go to ground under the eyes of a volunteer coach from the club’s men’s team.
Just three kilometers (two miles) but a world away stands the ‘Home of Rugby,’ Twickenham stadium, where the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup will be staged in September before 80,000 spectators.
The tournament will open in August in Sunderland with a match between former champions England and the United States. Rugby’s social media star Ilona Maher, playing in Bristol, aims to be in the U.S. lineup.
Meanwhile, the Teddington Antlers compete in the depths of the women’s leagues, and have since 1987 developed players who have gone on to represent England in 15s and sevens. None of the current team will be playing for England this year, though many of them have already bought World Cup tickets.
The Antlers are the epitome of grassroots women’s rugby, playing for fun and camaraderie. In their most recent game, with an audience of 30 friends, family and partners, they didn’t score a point against the Sutton & Epsom Women.
But they brushed it off, celebrated having a game, and spun tales of what they did do well.
On the following Tuesday, the team made up of teachers, students, probation officers, engineers and nurses was back out practicing on a cold and dark night on a muddy, half-lit field.
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