The first Sikh woman to play rugby for England
The first Sikh woman to represent England at rugby says she wants to break down the cultural barriers that may prevent others accessing the game.Manjinder Nagra, from Hove, East Sussex, started playing at Bath University in the 1990s where she was then selected to play for England Students."When I went home, unfortunately, the expectation for me was to stop playing rugby, to start looking for a job, to think about getting married and have children," she said.Manjinder's dream of a senior England call-up ended and she pursued a career in law, but she continued to be involved in the game and, 10 years ago, set up Hove Girls Rugby.
She said: "I suppose my life was like a rugby version of Bend It Like Beckham I often say."Quite often when I played, I was the only person of Asian heritage on the pitch, and that was in my 30 years of play."People need reminding that we are a community that is engaged in sport, we're good at sport. We just need the chance and the opportunities, and people to reach out to us."When Manjinder founded Hove Girls Rugby, the team had just six players, but now have about 80 girls playing across four different age groups.She says the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to England later this year will have a "phenomenal" impact on attracting players from all backgrounds into the sport.
Brighton & Hove is one of eight cities hosting matches.Manjinder said: "I didn't have role models when I was growing up, but if these girls can see the change, see their role models, it will encourage them to think about a sport that they may not have otherwise a thought of."Mark Ward is the head coach of the U12 girls at Hove Girls Rugby and says they are looking forward to watching international rugby at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion."There's already a buzz in the club about it," he said."We've already planned the events around it. Loads of the girls have already got tickets for the games at the Amex and the final at Twickenham as well."England are hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup starting in August.The Red Roses will face Australia in Brighton on 6 September with the match being shown live on BBC Sport.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
36 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Fran Kirby follows Mary Earps in announcing England retirement
Fran Kirby has become the second England player to retire just weeks before Sarina Wiegman's side defend their European Championship title in Switzerland. Having represented England at four major tournaments, including starting every game of the Euros triumph in 2022, Kirby joins Mary Earps in bowing out of international football. Earps called time on her own England career last week after losing her starting place to Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, in a move that left Wiegman 'disappointed and sad'. Kirby's decision comes just four weeks out from the tournament – and after she had played in Friday's 6-0 thrashing of Portugal at Wembley. She withdrew from the squad for Tuesday's match against Spain late and told her England team-mates after the 2-1 defeat of her decision to retire. She announced her decision on social media after the match having been told by Wiegman she was unlikely to make the Euros squad. 'After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life,' wrote the 31-year-old Brighton midfielder. 'I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it happened. 'It's been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl. I've played with incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have some irreplaceable memories.' In an interview with the BBC about her retirement, Kirby explained that she had been mulling retirement for more than a year and knew that this summer's Euros would be her last major tournament for England. She added: 'The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina I'm not going to make the squad. It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying.' Reacting to the news on Tuesday night, Wiegman said: 'First of all I love working with her. I think she has had an incredible career, which is still going on. She's an amazing player, she's an incredible person too. She did everything to make the squad. She has always been ready to play, ready to perform, helping others, whatever I asked her to do. 'Over time Fran and I have had several conversations. She has been unlucky with injuries too, she always fought back and still had some opportunities to play. I told her she was most likely not going to make the squad, we had these honest conversations. I think she's an inspiration to a lot of people and an example.' Kirby started every game in 2022, represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics after making her international debut in 2014, and finishes her career with 77 caps and 19 goals. She added: 'My mum had a dream of me representing my country, and I'm so proud I was able to do that and play in front of you all. I will never, ever forget the noise when my name is read out at a stadium. I was first selected when I was playing in WSL2, I played a part in the game-changing World Cup, winning bronze in 2015, creating some memories of a lifetime. 'Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be a part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could have ever imagined. Thank you.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS ANOTHER Lionesses Euros winner quits international football after being axed by Sarina Wiegman - a week after Mary Earps walked out on England
Lionesses star Fran Kirby has announced her retired from international football with immediate effect, less than a month before Euro 2025 begins. Kirby, 31, has been a key player for England for more than a decade, racking up 77 caps for her country. The attacking midfielder, who plays for Brighton, started all six of the Lionesses games during their memorable Euro 2022 triumph. However, Kirby was informed by Sarina Wiegman that she would not be part of the squad for this summer's international tournament and subsequently made the decision to hang up her boots. Reflecting on her choice, Kirby told BBC Sport: 'It is something I have been thinking about for over a year. I knew this was going to be my last major tournament. 'The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina I'm not going to make the squad. 'It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying.' Kirby was named in Sarina Weigman's squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain but was informed she would not be selected for the Euros starting on 2 July. In her first interview after announcing her retirement, Kirby said: ' "When I woke up in the morning after telling Sarina, I didn't feel any regret," added Kirby. "That's when I knew I'd made the right decision. "I've been on this team for a long time, it's not going to be a shock that it was coming to an end. "You get to a certain age and there are some really good youngsters that are coming through."
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Kirby announces England retirement before Euros
England attacking midfielder Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football with immediate effect before the European an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Kirby says she is leaving the international scene with her "head held high".The Brighton player, who has 77 caps for the Lionesses, has been a key figure for England for more than a was named in Sarina Weigman's squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain but was informed she would not be selected for the Euros starting on 2 her first interview after announcing her retirement, Kirby said: "It is something I have been thinking about for over a year. I knew this was going to be my last major tournament."The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina I'm not going to make the squad."It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying." The news comes just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also retired from international football before England attempt to defend their Euros 31, is understood to have informed her England team-mates of the decision after Tuesday's clash against Spain in last England appearance was as a second-half substitute in the 6-0 win over Portugal. She was not named in the matchday squad against former Chelsea player, who is a two-time PFA Women's Footballer of the Year winner, is one of the most recognisable female players in the won seven Women's Super League (WSL) titles and five Women's FA Cup trophies at Chelsea, but she is best remembered for playing a key role in England's historic Euro 2022 started all six of England's games in the tournament, scoring twice, as Wiegman's side lifted the trophy with victory over Germany at Wembley."When I woke up in the morning after telling Sarina, I didn't feel any regret," added Kirby. "That's when I knew I'd made the right decision."I've been on this team for a long time, it's not going to be a shock that it was coming to an end."You get to a certain age and there are some really good youngsters that are coming through." Kirby, who started her career at Reading, scored seven goals in 17 WSL appearances this season as Brighton finished fifth."I've put everything into this and feel like I have had a good domestic year," she said."I've fought hard to be in the Euros squad but unfortunately that's not enough."Kirby has battled with injury issues and illness throughout her career, struggling with fatigue in the build-up to Euro 2022 and missing the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury that required surgery."Everyone knows the injuries that I've had and I've been protecting my body," she said."This is part of that. But I feel like I've got so much to give in football. I'm already looking forward to the domestic season." Kirby's full retirement statement After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl.I've played with some incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have irreplaceable journey has been full of ups and downs, setbacks and achievements. Enough has been said and written about those, but regardless of whatever was thrown at me, I want you all to know that every time I put on that England badge I gave it 100%.Every single call-up, I accepted my role and did whatever was needed for the team. I wanted England to win. I've always been there to help England mum had a dream of me representing my country and I'm so proud I was able to do that and play in front of you all.I will never, ever forget the noise when my name is read out at a stadium. I was first selected when I was playing in WSL 2, I played a part in the game-changing World Cup, wininng bronze in 2015, creating memories of a in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could ever have you to all of you for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know that wearing that badge was the greatest every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can. Forever a Lioness, Fran.
