Inverness Craig Dunain Rugby Club double up on victories as women's team celebrates 10 years since re-launching
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Players new and old celebrated a milestone for Inverness' womens rugby team this weekend, after a double win for the club at the weekend.
After a double header for their women's and men's team at Canal Park, Inverness Craig Dunain celebrated the 10th anniversary of the re-launch of the women's team.
The weekend saw Inverness Craig Dunain women win 52–24 over Orkney Dragons, with the men's team winning over Caithness RFC 34–12.
Ruth Watt, who has been playing with Inverness Craig Dunain since 2012, said: "When I first moved to Inverness in 2009 I found it strange that there was no women's rugby team, as I had been used to play for teams in England (such as Lancaster, Vale of Lure, Carlisle). So, when I heard that IDC were setting up a team in 2012, I jumped at the chance to be involved!
"It's a joy watching the women's team (and club) go from strength to strength. It means a lot to me to have been involved at the start.
"We have a lovely bunch of girls who are currently playing strong, connected and exciting rugby thanks to the great coaching and leadership of Jess Butler and inclusive captaincy of Hannah Chisholm.
"The women's team have to thank Ian Dickinson for being here today as over the years, until recently, he was putting in the hard graft of coaching week in and week out.
"It was great fun celebrating at the weekend, it really brought home that special sense of community that ICD has between the men and women's teams and we are all enjoying what we have and looking forward to the future."
This was not the first time that the club had a women's team running.
Former player Emma Konkel – who is also the mother of Scotland international Jade Konkel – was in the very first team for ICD.
She said: "I joined the rugby team in 1995 and retired the first time in 2002. I didn't play for any other team in my playing years.
"When the women's team reformed I was asked to help out but I wasn't planning on playing again as I retired. They were short of players in a development game so I said I would play. Jade was home at the time so she played too even though she was playing with Hillhead Jordanhill at that time.
"I got the rugby buzz back, really enjoyed the game. I got player of the match that day, and I ended up playing for five more years until I retired for good. Then I became club medic for seven years.
"The team has grown from strength to strength over the last few years, and it has been great to see."
