Trophy time for sister and brother

RUGBY CATHERINE SMYTH A SISTER and brother who love the sport of rugby were individually handed a ‘clubman’ trophy at their team’s awards ceremony.

Hollie and Josh Dews, of Whitworth play rugby for Littleborough. Josh, seven, is a pupil at Tonacliffe Primary School and plays in the under 7s side while Hollie, 15, from Whitworth Community High School, is a member of the Littleborough Pink Warriors Rugby Union under 15s team.

Far from rugby not being a sport for the ladies, Hollie’s team appear very feminine in their pink frilly socks, pink shirt and black shorts, but when it comes to a game the team is no pushover.

At the annual awards they were both shocked to receive a trophy and had to inquire of the coach what the ‘clubman’ title meant.

Hollie said: “I was told that it meant that I was the person the team could always rely on, I put in 110 per cent all the time, attended training sessions, I was a proper team player and always there for everyone else.

“We both love the sport and at Littleborough it is just like a big family.”

Hollie first got interested in rugby when her dad Simon would take her to watch Leeds Rhinos.

She said: “I started playing for Littleborough because it was the nearest female team. I joined about two years ago and the girls’ team had only been set up few months earlier.

“After about three training sessions, I got a place on the team. We now also have an under-13s and under18s as well as under15s.

“I really love it and I especially love the way the team is like a big family.”

Sundays can prove quite complicated for Hollie and Josh’s parents Simon and Louise because Josh plays in a morning and Hollie in the afternoon and the rugby league junior teams are spread across the country so they can be playing miles away from each other.

The girls’ team also took part in a tour in Melbourne in Derbyshire, where they camped and played 15 mini matches against sides from all over the country over two days.

Hollie added: “Playing rugby has taught me so much: discipline, respect for others, as well as keeping fit. I have been able to put those skills to use in school and also in my application letter to be a school prefect.”

Hollie has trialled for the Lancashire under 18s team and hopes to work as a physiotherapist before moving into sports journalism.