The 'Maa Maas' Making History as England Reach World Cup Final

Mums Who Play Rugby (www.mumswhoplayrugby.com) is a social networking group connecting rugby-playing mothers across the UK and internationally. Founded by Trish, Daisy and Annette, the group has grown to over 600 members. "Maa Maas" is the term they created for mothers who play rugby, and they have brought together a "Maa Maas" team – a band of mothers who want to continue to combine rugby with motherhood. Several Reading Abbey RFC players are part of this inspiring movement.

The club has received £15,000 of National Lottery funding through Sport England to build dedicated women's and girls' changing facilities, currently under development. This investment represents the practical infrastructure changes that enable women to participate fully in rugby, addressing fundamental barriers that have historically limited female participation - the same grassroots foundation from which England's World Cup finalists have emerged.

Elite Recognition of Grassroots Innovation
Former England captain Catherine Spencer visited Reading Abbey RFC recently to see for herself the impact of National Lottery funding on developing grassroots rugby for women and girls. Spencer, who led England to the 2010 World Cup final before retiring in 2011 and becoming a mother six years ago, recognised the significance of the club's approach.

"They have got strength in numbers of women and girls right through from minis to their senior team," Spencer observed. "They have also really started to support mums who want to come back into playing rugby as well, which, as a mother myself, I can really appreciate."

"They have supported that programme and provided support for those people both emotionally and with the facilities as well. It is fantastic to see the way they support their women and girls in the context of the wider club as well."

Spencer emphasised the direct connection between National Lottery players and grassroots success: "Thanks to National Lottery players, rugby is thriving throughout the UK. Together, National Lottery players have raised over £6 billion for grassroots sports. Each Red Rose started somewhere like this. So it's so important these clubs get the support they need. Thank you to everyone who buys a National Lottery ticket. You are helping to change the game."

Creating Inclusive Infrastructure
The club's comprehensive women's programme spans seven age groups from Under-10 girls through to two senior women's teams, demonstrating how sustained National Lottery investment creates complete development pathways. The £15,000 funding has transformed the club's approach to female participation.

"What we've now been allowed to do with £15,000 worth of National Lottery funding is fund two new changing rooms exclusively for women and girls. It's made us feel really valued. It's made us feel, you know, even more a part of the club," explains Annette Thomas, Head of Women and Girls at Reading Abbey Rugby Club.

Diane Edwards, Head of Inclusion at England Talent Pathways, emphasises the broader significance: "The impact of a Home World Cup on women and girls grassroots sport is the inspiration. The National Lottery investment has been game changing for women and girls sport. It has enabled women and girls to be empowered, not only to play, but to access sport."

World Cup Final Inspiration Driving Participation
With England reaching the Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham this Saturday, the direct impact on grassroots participation is palpable. Young players at Reading Abbey are feeling the inspiration of seeing elite women's rugby reach its pinnacle on home soil.

"It's just unreal. Like the coverage on social media is incredible at the minute, that accessibility is just massive. It's the biggest World Cup we've ever had, and we are absolutely loving every minute of it," says Annette Thomas.

For the next generation of players, the connection is clear. Ella, a Reading Abbey player, reflects the excitement: "Yes, I have been watching the Rugby World Cup. It's so inspiring watching these amazing women on TV. And yes, I do want England to win."

National Investment Delivering World Cup Success
Reading Abbey's success reflects broader National Lottery investment in women's rugby development. Since 2009, nearly £50 million has been invested in women's and girls' rugby in England. This forms part of over £6 billion in National Lottery funding that has supported grassroots clubs and organisations across more than 90,000 projects over the last 30 years, including vital investment in women and girls' sport.

More than £170 million of National Lottery funding has transformed grassroots rugby across the UK, with vital investment in the women and girls' game creating the infrastructure that now produces world-class female players reaching World Cup finals. The RFU's initiatives drive participation at every level through non-contact rugby for 14-18-year-olds, schools' programmes, female coach recruitment, and dedicated resources for the women's game.

Building Tomorrow's Foundation Today
Spencer connected the grassroots investment directly to elite performance: "The strength of our England team, as clichéd as it might sound, is built on really strong foundations, and the National Lottery is hugely helping to build those foundations."

The transformation Spencer has witnessed since her playing days demonstrates the impact of sustained investment: "I have been talking here about why it is that England are so successful, and in part it is because there are specific facilities at clubs for women and girls."
Reading Abbey's support for mothers returning to rugby addresses a critical gap in women's sport participation. By providing both emotional support and practical facilities for mothers returning to rugby, the club demonstrates how National Lottery funding creates sustainable, inclusive sporting communities that serve women throughout their lives.

The club's comprehensive programme - from Under-10 girls through senior women's teams - shows how strategic investment creates complete development pathways. With dedicated women's and girls' changing facilities under development through National Lottery funding, Reading Abbey RFC exemplifies how grassroots investment removes barriers and transforms participation opportunities for women in rugby.

As England take the field at Twickenham on Saturday for the World Cup final, they carry with them the hopes and dreams nurtured at clubs like Reading Abbey across the country. This investment has been consistent across three decades, funded by the £30 million National Lottery players raise weekly for good causes across the UK, creating the foundations from which England's World Cup final appearance has been built.

To find out more about the difference National Lottery funding has made in your area, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

For more information about Mums Who Play Rugby and the "Maa Maas" concept, visit www.mumswhoplayrugby.com