Football / Bristol Rovers Women
‘I’m proud as a mum to go out there and show women it doesn’t stop after children’
Bristol Rovers Women captain Rianne Bourne-Hallett said that standing in the tunnel before kick-off next to Lioness Rachel Daly was “surreal”.
Bourne-Hallett led the Gas out onto the pitch on Sunday afternoon alongside her two sons – seven-year-old Ace and two-year-old Rex – for the FA Cup fourth round match which Aston Villa won 9-0.
And she thanked Daly, who she said “made their night”.
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“It was very surreal to be stood in the tunnel with Rachel Daly opposite me, respecting my children and making a massive effort with them,” Bourne-Hallett told Bristol24/7.
“For that I thank her as it made their night. These are memories that will last forever and I’m proud as a mum of two to go out there and show women that it doesn’t stop after children and it makes it so much more special.
“It’s so much more special to have them enjoy the memories with me.”
Daly, a key member of the England team who won the Euro 2022 title, later posed for photos with Rovers players and gave her shirt to striker Meg Jarvis.
The 33-year-old, who won 84 caps for the national team, praised Gas supporters on Instagram, writing that the fans who had travelled to Walsall’s Bescot Stadium on Sunday night were “top notch”.
Rovers striker Meg Jarvis with Lioness star Rachel Daly – photo: Instagram
Bourne-Hallett called the match against WSL side Aston Villa “an exciting opportunity” for Rovers, who currently play in the fourth tier of the women’s football pyramid and were playing in the seventh tier when they were reformed in 2019.
She said: “We have earned our position here to play against those kinds of stars. Like Nath (Rovers manager Nathan Hallett-Jones) said, they are superstars because they have had nights like these.
“So it was our chance to go out there and give it our all and that’s what we have done.
“It’s credit to us that they put their full-strength team out. They obviously feel like they needed to and I take that as a respect thing, and it’s exciting to play against players like that.”
Rianne Bourne-Hallett challenges Ebony Salmon of Aston Villa – photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
Bourne-Hallett added: “It’s a massive learning curve and journey for us.
“Their movement on and off the ball. The way they get it moving and break teams down. We’ve got nothing but respect for those players.
“They’ve shown us what it’s like to be at that level and it’s something we can strive to be as a team, especially the younger ones coming through.
“They can see what it takes to be here. It’s just something we can push towards now…
“Before the game I just said enjoy it. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players to get to this stage. We had nothing to lose.”
Rachel Daly strikes with Layah Douglas looking on – photo: Nathan Stirk / FA via Getty Images
Bourne-Hallett, who resigned for Rovers at the beginning of this season, said that after the match “it was nothing but pride from me”.
“As a teammate and a captain of those girls, I couldn’t be prouder.
“Yes, it was 9-0 but we were playing against the best. They are international stars. We came off that pitch on the receiving end of a high scoreline but I was prouder than ever…
“I thought there was a goal in it. When Meg (Jarvis) went one-v-one, my heart stopped for a little bit. But it shows that we can be up against it and create chances.
“I’m a bit disappointed not to get one but not angry as I just loved the experience.”
Main photo: The FA / Getty
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