‘My love of rugby was created and nurtured by grassroots coaches and players’

My rugby journey started when I was ten, with my primary school PE teacher being the coach for the local girls team, St Mary’s Old Boys, who are based in Almondsbury.

I had watched my younger brother play since he was five but I honestly never really took much interest. I associated rugby more with standing in the cold and getting a bacon sandwich on a Sunday afternoon.

But with some encouragement from my parents, I decided to give it a go and join the girls side throughout pre-season.

At the time, there was no under-13 girls section and I had no interest joining the boys team. I trained with the girls for two years, until I was old enough to be a part of the under-15s.

Initially I started at fullback, though it was quickly understood that I had no real speed and I kept on joining the defensive line rather than hanging in the backfield, not quite grasping that I needed to cover kicks.

Within my first season of playing, I was accepted into Gloucestershire county, where they changed me to my current position of second row.

A few months later, I was representing the South West. Here is where I met a lot of the girls I still play with today, including one of my closest friends and fellow Bear, Ellie Mulhearn.

I played with St Mary’s for another two seasons, and then followed my brother Tim to Cleve RFC in my last year of U15s.

Building on the foundations from St Mary’s, and the skills learnt at Cleve, I was fortunate in being selected for England U18s talent development group and then, in my first year of college, England U20s.

I have also represented Hartpury College and Exeter University, playing alongside my studies. I joined Bears and haven’t stopped playing since, currently standing at 74 appearances in a Bristol shirt.

Hollie Cunningham hard at work in the gym – photo: JMP

Although my journey as a rugby player has been supported by family, friends and honestly, a lot of hard work, the launch that grassroots rugby gave my career was undeniable.

I wanted to try something new, something that challenged me but unmistakably I would enjoy. The love for the game is the reason why I have been playing for over a decade. A love that was created and nurtured by grassroots coaches and players.

Grassroots rugby provides children with the opportunity to expand their horizons, creating well-rounded members of society.

Few other sports teach children the meaning of discipline and teamwork, while having the time of your life alongside lifelong friends.

This is not only evident in those who are at the top the game, like the Red Roses, but players who are still lacing up their boots in their 70s.

Grassroots rugby is the foundation and core of success in the game. Without it, rugby standards drop, players leave clubs and the sport no longer provides the joy it does to millions.

This is why at Bears we strive to adhere to our values, wanting to inspire the community through rugby success and have homegrown players within the squad.

Hollie Cunningham plays at second row for the Bears, who start their season on Saturday with a home fixture against Wasps at Ashton Gate – photo: JMP

Our community programme works tirelessly to inspire the next generation and to provide rugby as a way of keeping healthy, both mentally and physically.

The Bear in Mind project, ran by the programme manager Geraint Lewis, helps secondary school girls to tackle issues they may be facing.

This ranges from stress to the impacts of social media, as well as maintaining an interest in sport and physical activity.

Although this programme does not have the purpose to enrol players into local clubs, by using the core values of the game, more and more girls are not only becoming self-confident and resilient, but are joining clubs as a by-product.

It cannot be expressed enough how crucial grassroots rugby is, whether that is to inspire the next generation of Red Roses or to give a child a safe space to be themselves.

I can wholeheartedly say that I am the player I am today because of those coaches, clubs and experiences I had at grassroots rugby. So a big thank you to Helen, Dave, Steve, Lewis, Nick, Goose, Mark and Neil for getting me started.

Hollie Cunningham is currently in her sixth season of playing for Bristol Bears Women. On Saturday, Bristol Bears kick off their Allianz Premier 15s 2022/23 season against Wasps at Ashton Gate. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Main photo: JMP

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