Smallwood to Make History This Weekend
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October 7, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Gina Smallwood will become the first woman to represent England in wheelchair rugby league this weekend as they face France.
The Rapid Support Services International fixture will see Smallwood team up with her Wheelchair Super League-winning Bury Jigsaw team-mates Martin Norris, who will captain the side, Jack Heggie, Paul McCormick and Phil Roberts.
Another first for the match is that it will be played in the Leigh Indoor Sports Centre, making it the first international wheelchair rugby league fixture to be played in the north west of England.
“It’s going to be a good game, it’s always a good game against the French,” said Smallwood ahead of the fixture. “I’m looking forward to it and there are nerves as well but we’ve got plenty of training before the game.
“I started off doing athletics then got involved in wheelchair basketball and someone approached me from our team and asked whether I fancied getting involved in rugby league.
“That was two seasons ago. Now I’m here as the first female to play for England.
“I feel proud…the expectation is that we want to go out and win but it’s good to be involved in the game and with such great people.”
As well as playing, Roberts is also head coach, and he feels Smallwood has more than justified her selection.
“Gina’s selection is on the back of a strong season at club level. Her speed and timing around the play-the-ball is an asset to the team and her effort and attitude couldn’t be better.
“Having been in the 2010 training squad she is familiar with our methods [and] has deservedly progressed into the team.”
By Leigh Gruffydd Sanders
[Image courtesy of IWRF Eron]