Anyone in doubt what it means for Wales’ first female rugby players to turn professional need only watch Siwan Lillicrap’s press conference interview about it.
The Wales captain is one of 12 internationals to have been offered full-time contracts with the Welsh Rugby Union – the first of its kind for women’s internationals in Wales. You can read more about the 12 chosen here.
LOOK:Moving press conference by Siwan Lillicrap
While the 34-year-old No.8 may have landed her dream job as a full-time professional – she quit her job as head of rugby at Swansea University – things haven’t always been easy.
As a child, she loved rugby but had no team to play in.
She watched her coaching father Tim and brother Gethin play at Waunarlwydd RFC in Swansea, but there were no local women’s junior teams to join.
She regularly begged mum Bev to train with a local senior women’s team, but had to wait until she was 17 before she was allowed to start playing.
At a press conference celebrating historic contracts, a thoughtful Wales captain couldn’t help but be emotional when asked what she would say now to this little girl – her – even – who didn’t have a team to play on.
“You just got me a little emotional then,” Lillicrap said through tears.
“It’s the reality, I didn’t have a club to play for because there was no age [rugby for girls].
“I fought for so long to even get my first Welsh cap, and to be in that privileged position now, and with the progress the game has taken, that’s huge.
“Sorry, that really hit me then!”
(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
The waiting game didn’t end at the age of 17 either, and the skipper with 40 caps even considered stepping away from rugby altogether.
Lillicrap was part of the extended Wales squad for four to five years before eventually being named to an official campaign squad, culminating in her first Welsh cap aged 28 in 2016. The Bristol Bears striker n has hardly missed an international game since and became captain in the fall. 2019.
The privileged position she now finds herself in, having secured a 12-month contract that runs until after this year’s World Cup, is not lost on Lillicrap or any of her Test mates.
“It’s a dream job to be able to have this opportunity to be a professional rugby player in Wales and to be the best player you can be for that red shirt, it’s huge.
“It will change my life.
“It’s a dream, really, I’ve always wanted to be a professional player and represent your country to the best of your abilities. It’s huge and to see it all come to life today is quite emotional.
“I loved my time at Swansea Uni but can’t wait to pursue my dream of being a professional rugby player.”
“What this will do for Welsh rugby is huge.
“The goal is to make big progress in March and April, improve performance and hopefully we’ll be in a much better position at the World Cup.
“We are truly proud rugby people and can’t wait to change the face of women’s rugby here.”
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