By Gigi Cooke
THERE is something hard to explain about willingly standing on a cold, dark rugby pitch after a full day of work. Yet twice a week, women of all ages, careers and backgrounds come together with the same goal: to improve, support each other and grow both individually and as a team.
There is a real sense of community within Jersey Women’s Rugby Club, a mixture of adrenaline, camaraderie and empowerment that is difficult to fully understand unless you have experienced it yourself. In the middle of winter, under floodlights, people still choose to show up for one another.
What makes it even more special is the mix of people it brings together. Different ages, careers and lifestyles all stepping onto the same pitch, leaving titles and responsibilities behind for a few hours each week. Everyone is there for the same reason: to challenge themselves, work together and keep getting better.
I have learnt not to take this sport for granted, and maybe that is why I feel such pride and respect for Jersey women’s rugby. Growing up, there were not many girls playing junior rugby. From the age of eight, I was the only girl my age in a team full of boys, and, at the time, it never really felt unusual. Looking back now, I realise how rare that probably was. At that age there were no real inhibitions, just a pure love for the sport.
But from the age of 12, girls could no longer play with boys, which meant I stopped playing altogether due to there being no girls’ team to join. It would take another fifteen years before I made the decision to start again. Returning to the sport after so long was intimidating at first, but falling back in love with rugby has reminded me how much the game relies on trust, communication and resilience.
There is also something empowering about a sport that demands physicality. Rugby teaches you to trust your body, push through discomfort and keep going even when you feel exhausted. Confidence does not arrive all at once. It builds slowly through training, communication and realising you are capable of more than you first thought.
There are moments where you physically and mentally question why you are doing this, usually while running around freezing cold and exhausted, but somehow the adrenaline and energy of the team keeps you going.
Looking back, it is hard not to notice how much women’s sport in Jersey has evolved. What once felt limited now feels far more visible and supported. More women and girls are taking part in sport, and there is a growing recognition of the value that women’s teams and communities bring to the Island. Seeing that shift first hand makes returning to rugby feel even more meaningful, and it has made me grateful to be able to play the sport again.
What stands out most is the culture around the team. Outside of training and matches, there is still that constant sense of support, whether it is through the classic WhatsApp group chat, endless banter or simply knowing people are there for each other both on and off the pitch.
Women supporting women is powerful, and the team really exemplifies that. The support is not just limited to rugby or match days, it shows up in the small moments too. Whether it is encouraging someone new to the sport, celebrating somebody finally making a tackle they were nervous about, or recognising achievements outside of rugby in work, fitness or family life, there is a genuine sense that everyone wants to see each other succeed.
Most recently, the women won the Siam Cup in Guernsey for the first time ever. While the result itself was incredible, what stood out more was what it represented. It reflected the commitment shown throughout the entire season, not just on match day, but on the dark winter evenings when nobody really feels like leaving the house, yet everyone turns up anyway.
Sport is often viewed as simply exercise or competition, but it becomes much more than that. The 90 minutes spent training allows people to switch off from work, routines and everyday pressures. For a short period of time, nothing else really matters except being present with the team and pushing yourself to improve.
At its core, Jersey women’s rugby is about far more than sport. It is about friendship, resilience and belonging to something bigger than yourself. In a world where genuine connection can sometimes feel rare, there is something incredibly powerful about a group of women continuing to show up for one another week after week.
Gigi Cooke is a furniture designer and maker based in Jersey and founder of the design studio Gigi Cooke. Her practice focuses on contemporary, sustainable design that celebrates natural materials and craftsmanship. Alongside her own furniture collections, she collaborates with architects, designers, and private clients to create bespoke furniture and curated spaces that balance form, function, and longevity. Gigi is also passionate about supporting and growing Jersey’s creative community.
