Trailblazing Women Prepare Rugby’s Grandest Stage

As England’s Red Roses prepare to battle Canada for Women’s Rugby World Cup glory this Saturday, a revolutionary team of 15 women led by Leicester Tigers’ Cheryl Hill is making sporting history at Twickenham Stadium. The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has assembled rugby’s first all-female grounds crew to prepare the hallowed turf for the championship decider.

From Welford Road to World Stage

• Cheryl Hill, Leicester Tigers’ longest-serving groundskeeper (35 seasons), called her selection "unbelievable"
• The 53-year-old will work alongside 14 peers from across England
• Team began pitch preparations Thursday ahead of Saturday’s double-header (third-place playoff & final)

"To be pitchside at Twickenham... will be like ‘whoa, am I really here?’" – Hill, who previously attended as a fan

Breaking Grass Ceilings

This landmark moment highlights:

1. 9.8 million BBC viewers tuning in for tournament coverage
2. 8.8 million streams across digital platforms
3. Only 10% female representation in groundskeeping industry

Stadium of Dreams

Twickenham’s head groundsman Jim Buttar emphasized:

• Critical need for gender diversity in turf management
• Unprecedented platform to showcase women’s expertise
• Perfect pitch conditions required for World Cup climax

Red Roses’ Road to Glory

England seeks its third World Cup title against first-time finalists Canada, who stunned six-time champions New Zealand. The final kicks off at:

Key Stats:

• Canada: Tournament’s top defensive unit (12.8 points conceded/game)
• England: Highest scoring team (45.3 points/game)

Legacy Beyond the Lines

GMA’s Jennifer Carter noted:

"These women are redefining perceptions in male-dominated sports industries. Their work this weekend inspires future generations to consider groundskeeping as a rewarding career."

As 53,000 fans pack "HQ" of English rugby, Hill’s crew will ensure the stage is set for athletic excellence – while cultivating new opportunities for women in sports infrastructure roles worldwide.