New Tredegar Teenager Champions Women in Rugby Ahead of International Women's Day
A teenager from New Tredegar is championing women in rugby ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, as her selection for the Dragons Academy at Coleg Gwent brings her closer to her dream of becoming a professional player. With women still representing less than a quarter of total rugby players in Wales, the academy plays a vital role in developing young athletes like 18-year-old Lily Hawkins.
Balancing Rugby and Education
The Dragons Academy at Coleg Gwent helps athletes like Lily develop the physical, technical, tactical, and psychological skills needed for the professional game while continuing their studies. Lily, a scrum half for the Wales U18 Women's Squad, first caught the attention of academy coaches while in Year 11 at Idris Davies Comprehensive School. Over the past two years, she has balanced intensive training with her academic commitments.
Her dedication has led to selection for the Wales Women's U18s squad in the Six Nations tournament for two consecutive seasons. Additionally, she plays scrum half for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge League, showcasing her talent on a competitive stage.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Off the field, Lily coaches the U14 girls' team at her local club, New Tredegar RFC, and champions young players through Coleg Gwent's Under Future Programme, which promotes grassroots participation. "Rugby has always been a huge part of my life, and I feel so lucky to play the sport I love at such a high level," said Lily. "Rugby is a big part of Welsh culture, and it would be great to not only see more women and girls playing the game, but also for the women's game to get the recognition it deserves."
Coach's Praise and Future Aspirations
Scott Matthews, Dragons Academy coach, expressed immense pride in Lily's achievements. "As her coach at the Female Rugby Academy at Coleg Gwent, I could not be prouder of Lily and everything she continues to achieve," he said. "Representing Wales U18s a year early while still in Year 11 was a remarkable milestone and a clear reflection of her talent, dedication, and maturity beyond her years."
He highlighted her recent selection for Gwalia Lightning seniors as another outstanding accomplishment, noting that Lily epitomizes the academy's values with her exceptional mindset, meticulous preparation, coachability, work ethic, and high-level skill. "She leads her peers through her actions both on and off the field, excelling academically while inspiring those around her with her standards and humility," Matthews added.
Growing Participation and Challenges
Recent reports indicate that participation in women's rugby in Wales is rising, with approximately 10,000 grassroots players in recent years. However, up to two-thirds of female players feel that negative stereotypes on social media pose a barrier to participation. Despite this, dedicated programmes like the Dragons Academy and the Celtic Challenge League, along with advocates like Lily, are helping the women's game grow stronger.
While men's rugby is often associated with power, the women's game is gaining attention for its dynamic style, high levels of skill, creativity, and teamwork. Lily's journey began at just six years old, inspired by her family's passion for rugby, as she watched her parents compete for local teams.
Academic and Career Goals
Today, Lily trains multiple times a week, balancing gym sessions, matches, and her academic work as she aims for a professional career. She plans to finish her A-Levels in Biology, PE, and Welsh Baccalaureate, then study Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University. In the future, she hopes to balance rugby with a career in sport management or fitness.
About Coleg Gwent
Coleg Gwent is one of Wales' largest further education colleges, with campuses across Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, City of Newport, Crosskeys, Torfaen Learning Zone, and Usk. The college offers a wide range of vocational courses, apprenticeships, A-levels, and higher education opportunities, helping young people build skills for modern careers both on and off the field.
