Amelia Aldridge’s passion for rugby, and a strong family connection to it, has lead her to being the first woman at her Celtic club, or Mid Canterbury Rugby, to receive a 50 game cap.
The 27-year-old has been playing rugby for seven years and plays lock for the McKain Quality Construction Celtic Sea Snakes women’s rugby team.
She is the only original member of the Celtic women’s side still playing and enjoys its competitiveness and physical nature.
‘‘It felt really cool to receive my cap and I hope to keep playing for as long as I can, though I doubt I will receive my 100th cap as I probably won’t play long enough,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s taken this long to get 50 caps as women don’t play as many games in a season as the men,’’ she said.
‘‘I love team sport, I love the competitiveness of the games, even when it sucks because we don’t win, I enjoy the physical side of rugby. I like learning new skills and the social side of the game, making friends and being part of the club are all great,’’ Aldridge said.
‘‘I have always enjoyed sport and played football in my younger days,’’ Aldridge said.
‘‘My cousins and grand dads family all played rugby. Grand dad was a coach/ captain for Mt Somers, so that is my family’s club,’’ she said.
Aldridge, who joined the team following a discussion while at the gym, enjoyed being part of Celtic both on and off the field and was thrilled more young girls were taking up the game.
While she had limited injuries she showed The Ashburton Courier a scar from having her leg ripped open from the stud of another player’s boot during a final at Hagley Park, Christchurch.
It took three months to heal.
She has played with others from Mid Canterbury in representative games playing against the likes of Southland, Otago Development and Ellesmere, as well as against players who have played for the Black Ferns.
She has found inspiring to be in a game against players of that level.
She said the past three years the side had formed a strong team who knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and they could build on and maintain their skills, determination and playing ability.
‘‘A big shout out to the team, all the girls I have played with over the seven years. There were times it was a struggle, especially when playing the metro teams with scores like 80-nil against us. But they never gave up,’’ she said
Aldridge was now hopeful of being selected for the Mid Canterbury Women’s representative team, due to be named shortly.
‘‘It is exciting this year as there are four women’s teams in Mid Canterbury, us, Hampstead, Southern and Rakaia to choose players from,’’ Aldridge said.
