Women's rugby player calls for support as team prepares for Premiership debut

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A women's rugby player is calling for support as her team prepares to make its debut in the Premiership.

Theo Rushton-Marsh, who plays for Ynysddu BG Women, described her journey with the club as life-changing and is now fundraising to help cover the costs of competing at this level.

She said: "I was so nervous about what our next chapter had in store for us.

"But what I didn't know was that only down the road, at Ynysddu RFC, was the group of women who were going to completely change my life."

The team secured an unbeaten Championship season to earn promotion to the Premiership for the 2025/26 season, and will now play in the top flight of Welsh women's rugby for the first time in the club's history.

But Theo says the step up comes with major financial challenges.

She said: "Competing in a women's National League means playing games with 10-hour return travel times, paying thousands per game for minibuses because we compete on Sundays, taking out private health insurance because it isn't covered by the club, increasing out-of-training fitness work because we all work full time, and purchasing league-appropriate kit, which for example would cost over £10,000 for just a 23-player team alone, and we have over 30 players registered."

Theo has chosen to use her personal sponsorship appeal to raise awareness and funds for Platfform, a mental health charity working across South Wales.

She said: "Platfform is a mental health charity that focuses on social change and community as driving factors for improving the wellbeing of those struggling by building authentic connection.

"As a service provider, they work to keep people from homelessness, offer therapeutic alternatives to hospitals, and facilitate community projects and meetings."

The fundraising has special meaning for Theo, who has spoken openly about her own mental health journey and the role rugby has played in her recovery.

She said: "Throughout the years I have been playing rugby I have made multiple attempts on my life, been involuntarily committed to various in-patient stays, and was prescribed around ten medications to 'deal' with the symptoms of ill mental health that I was experiencing without truly addressing the causes.

"I do not know where I would be today without rugby and my ever-changing and growing support system."

Theo hopes the community will get behind her and the team as they step onto the Premiership stage.

She said: "If you don't want to donate because my club is awesome and women's rugby is underfunded and expensive, and if you don't want to donate to support getting the amazing charity Platfform some free advertising, donate because I really love playing rugby with this team and I would really appreciate your support in getting myself to the Premiership through community fundraising.

"I know money is tight right now and everything is just so expensive. But if you can spare anything to support me and Ynysddu BG Women - we will go and do our best to win the whole thing again."

Donations are accepted through Theo's Go Fund Me page.