Esther Firman writes about the joys of being in women’s touch rugby team Waltham Forest Foxes
On Wednesday evenings at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre in Walthamstow, a familiar scene once played out: mums huddled on the sidelines with their daughters as their sons darted across the football pitch.
For years, those sidelines were the domain of supportive spectatorship. But for a group of women, watching wasn’t enough; they wanted to play.
They wanted to inspire their daughters to see them on the pitch, not just next to it. And so, Waltham Forest Foxes were born – a women-only touch rugby team.
The spark was lit with the help of a few. One, a kind, patient stalwart with roots in rugby-mad New Zealand, took the fledgling Foxes under his wing.
For the next six years, he poured his energy, wisdom and love of the game into these newcomers, teaching not just rules and skills, but the spirit of rugby – teamwork, respect, and a dash of cheeky competitiveness.
The squad quickly became not only mums, but a melting pot of women from different nationalities, ages, and life experiences. For many, rugby was an alien language and some had never played a team sport before.
Some had never even set foot on a pitch. No one knew the difference between a dump and a dive pass – but what they lacked in experience, they made up for in enthusiasm and courage.
Today, the Foxes are more than a team – they’re a family. Life happens – jobs change, babies arrive, knees give way – but once a Fox, always a Fox.
The Foxes have also used their collective voice, along with the grassroots football club, The Coppermill Swifts to campaign for improved facilities at Low Hall, where they meet up for picnics and practices, inviting children to join, and sharing the love of the game.
Our latest season is shaping up to be the most exciting yet. With a new kit sponsored by the flathunting website SpareRoom and Dignity Funeral Directors Walthamstow and more tournaments on the horizon, the Foxes are ready to show that rugby isn’t about age or athletic pedigree, it’s about joy, connection, and the thrill of chasing that try line together.
Players drift in and out as life demands, yet the welcome is always warm for anyone ready to lace up and join. Whether you’re breastfeeding, menopausal, fresh from the office, or navigating life’s curveballs, you can belong here.
Find out more: Forest Foxes (@walthamforestfoxes)
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