Inspired by England's Red Roses - Keeping Spirits High

MMS Photography/Film
Sep 15
8 min read

Nearly another year on from my first and only blog and life hasn't quite taken the direction I expected.

At the end of 2024 after 3 months of being unwell I was diagnosed with CFS/ME. After battling 3 or 4 different jobs over the summer my body gave me no choice but to take a break and do not much but rest. It was and has been a pretty demoralising period and it's taken a long time to accept what's happening. It couldn't have been a better time for me to start following England's Red Roses. When my doctor gave me my diagnosis she said to me that I needed to learn to enjoy the little things like having a cup of tea... This at the time was to a girl who was dreaming of her next year to be spent in the wilderness of Canada working at a bear lodge and building her wildlife film/photography portfolio. It was a bitter pill to swallow but with the symptoms of CFS and the brain fog sometimes it was hard to compute what it really meant and I couldn't really process it until I gained some clarity.

My mind works constantly and I have always had projects and ideas on the go to keep me occupied. A new change of pace in life meant that I needed to find interests that weren't active. Living on a farm and interests revolving around mainly wildlife and horses it's not exactly ideal. I continued working as long as I could and forced myself through it but eventually I had to admit defeat and allow myself time to recover.

I actually noticed women's rugby after coming across Ilona Maher on social media. It was just as she announced she was moving to Bristol Bears. Through this I started following Bristol Bears and then the Red Roses. Sport means something different to everyone but I think if you can resonate with aspects of it, it means more. I personally love seeing the different personalities of the players and how diverse the teams are. There's a place for everyone and I can see myself in them with the grit and determination. Also how could you not love them, some of them are absolutely hilarious and just make you smile and they are unapologetically themselves. After trying rugby once at school I know the sport itself however isn't for me as I ran away from everyone and didn't want to hurt anyone... I was quick enough to get past most people but I couldn't fathom running into someone. It's pretty ironic really considering I can easily tackle sheep and have been dragged around by them more times than I can count.

I started following the Premership Women's Rugby season and loved watching the behind-the-scenes of it all in the build up. What was also great was I found out a university friend already followed the teams so it was great to talk to someone else enthused about it . He actually follows Harlequins and quickly pointed me in the direction of Ellie Kildunne. The first time I watched her play was vs Bristol Bears. I hadn't watched many games yet but there was something different about the energy of this game. It was really exciting and seeing the pure power and speed was incredible. I also found that I wasn't so much interested in supporting a particular PWR team but more just supporting good sport and any game that had a player that I liked. After this I really took more interest and started listening to podcasts like "Rugby Rodeo" and "For the Love of Rugby" and "The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby" . They're very funny and I'd highly recommend to anyone interested.

Rugby Rodeo

For The Love of Rugby

The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby

My family has always watched mens rugby and I've been fortunate enough to go to a few international matches. But there's something about the womens game that is just so much more entertaining to me. I think it's a testament to the marketing by the teams and the players themselves. They clearly haven't had the easy way into the spotlight and the teams have been very clever in their methods of reaching a wider audience by sharing the personalities of their players. It makes it more approachable and makes the viewer feel more connected.

Long story short watching and following the women's rugby/sport has become a great interest of mine and brought me a lot of happiness when I've needed it. When it finally came to making the decision about going to my job in Canada it was sadly already decided for me. It was going to have to be an opportunity to take in the future as I wasn't strong enough. Around the same time that I had to make the decision, the Women's Rugby World Cup tickets were released. I persuaded my family that it would be good fun to go to our local stadiums and watch some matches. At the time my family hadn't really watched any matches or taken much notice. However, the Six Nations quickly rolled around and they started watching the matches with me. It was a fantastic tournament and a great introduction to the England team with an emphatic win.

Fast forward to September, it's been an amazing summer of sport. Not only has the Women's Rugby World Cup been amazing so far but the Lionesses were brilliant earlier in the year as well. Another English women's team encapsulating hearts and bringing a lot of joy to the nation. Once again the teams have been very clever with their marketing with crossovers between the two teams. The Lionesses have a wider following and sharing the Red Roses efforts shows incredible unity in women's sport.

I'm realising I'm running out of positive adjectives to express how much I've been enjoying the sport but it really has been a godsend to me this past year. Last week I managed to attend the double fixture at Sandy Park of Scotland vs Canada and Wales vs Fiji. I just can't believe we saw two international matches for £10 each. I'm not sure it will ever be that price again which is both brilliant for the sport but also bad for my bank account. It was a great atmosphere at Sandy Park and a fun day out. The best part for me was seeing how much my family, particularly my mum absolutely loved it.

Seeing these matches in person I was desperate to try and get some photos. Sadly, I wouldn't have been able to bring my main camera in to the stadium so I utilised the best I could find. I was very envious of the photographers on the sidelines and was dreaming of having that 600mm f/4 lens to get crystal clear action shots pitch side.

Then came the quarter-final match at Ashton Gate; England vs Scotland. I've never really been around people I look up to and it turns out I am easily star struck. Quite funny really, I'm not an extrovert but, I didn't think I'd feel like an imposter seeing The Red Roses in person. It's funny I know the players are lovely people and love seeing fans but for instance like at the end I was just thinking these players are with their families and celebrating with their friends and I didn't want to disturb that. I loved taking photos of the action and during the match but as soon as they were engaging with the crowd it felt like it was going to be one of those embarrassing moments like when you think someone is acknowledging you but they are actually waving to their mum behind you. I think it would be totally different if I was there officially and actually had a job there. I wouldn't have felt like an imposter or felt like I was being noticed like the camera operators on the pitch. Who by the way are unbelievable at their jobs. How the TV camera operators can track the ball like that I don't know but please tell me your secrets, I want to learn!

The quarter-final match itself was brilliant. Unfortunately for Scotland the Red Roses were very strong and it was very much in England's favour. But wow it was amazing to watch the Red Roses play in person. I wasn't really sure I was going to make it after feeling very rough that morning but I'm so glad I did. The stadium was sold out and the atmosphere was brilliant. The only downfall was a niggling headache that wouldn't dissipate. This wasn't helped by the drums in the stadium but as soon as they showed that it was Ellie Kildunne and Lilli Ive-Campion on the drums I couldn't help but laugh every time I heard them.

I cannot wait to watch the rest of the tournament and I will be watching the ticket sales avidly hoping that someone resells their final tickets. That one day would be totally worth the recovery time. My fingers are thoroughly crossed that the Red Roses have their home victory but even if they don't they have changed the game forever.

So if you can't tell I'm very much a fan and I can't wait to follow the journey. I know I'm not the only one that's been inspired by England's Red Roses but all I really want to say to them is thank you. And maybe one day I'll be in that dream position taking photos or even videos of the action.

I definitely haven't lost my interest in pursuing wildlife media but with my current position I have to be realistic and question whether it's in the near future for me to be capable of climbing mountains and tracking animals. I love sport and I'd love to broaden my photography skills within it. So let's see what happens and hopefully by this time next year I'll be in a better position to know where I'm heading.

Now time to rest ...

Please take a look at some of my photos from the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

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