GrassRoots - Women's Rugby from the Roots Up

Welcome to episode 16, Season 2!The tale of woe continues with this season; we look at how we are trying to fix it and offer some advice, some more helpful than others to teams going through similar issues.  We have a special interview with the brilliant Shrewsbury Women and learn all about their journey in the game, especially now they are wearing lovely new Halbro Shirts sporting the grassroots logo! If you want your team or you to come on for a chat, please get in touch; we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch:grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com 

Welcome to episode 15, Season 2!In this much delayed episode we apologise profusely for our incompetence and use a load of lame excuses, then discuss actual rugby excuses, some better than others.  We wring our hands with misery at the terrible season we’re having, and think of ways to fix it, discuss mental health and generally look at where things are at in the game. Halbro join us for a chat, and overall we try to get back on track! Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch:grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com 

Welcome to episode 14 of Season 2 of GrassRoots!In this tired and emotional episode we piece together the wreckage of the GrassRoots festival in Avonmouth, digest the weekend and celebrate all that was fantastic about another top weekend of rugby fun. We welcome back Cherie from her hiatus, hear all about her camping disaster and why you should check the bottle before tucking into the airport duty free on holiday.Our interview for this episode is with Oli, Director of Playing at Ipswich RUFC who gives us the lowdown on their amazing fundraiser for the My Name Is Doddie foundation. To donate and follow their progress, please visit: www.all4mnd.co.ukPlease don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to a special Episode of GrassRoots!This is a LIVE panel discussion recorded at Avonmouth Claire’s RUFC in Bristol at the GrassRoots Festival.We discuss all things GrassRoots with rugby legend Rocky Clark, MBE, Ireland and Gloucester prop, Kathryn Buggy, ThePropLife, Jemma Norton and referee Fiona Brunt.In this fascinating and wide-ranging discussion hosted by Mollie, we cover everything from body image, room mates and shower etiquette to the importance of being role models within the game.Thanks a million to Halbro for supporting the festival; Kathryn is an Ambassador for the brand and the GrassRoots Nomads kit was specially designed by Halbro for the podcast.Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to season 2, episode 14!In this off-season episode, we attempt, with varying degrees of success to do an in-person recording. This was harder than we initially thought, so please bear with us as we figure out the sound quality when we’re all together!We welcome Fudge from the fantastic Shrewsbury RUFC Ladies, Jody updates us on her latest injury, we discuss changing captains and pre-season.We also announce our new project – making and producing a GrassRoots Women’s Rugby Documentary. If you would like to take part, please get in touch! Goose introduces draft one of the GrassRoots Nomads’ Team and we eat a lot of crisps.We hope you enjoy the episode.Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get tickets for the GrassRoots Festival in Avonmouth on the 19th, visit: https://ticketbud.com/events/5a9833e2-e90a-11ed-9eaa-42010a717022To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to Epside 12! In this episode we talk about 7s tournaments, pre-season training and getting ready for the new season.Jodie gets another injury, Matt goes for a Burton and we use Chat GPT to write a team talk.Cherie is still missing in action but do not fear, we'll get her back soon.Thanks for entering the competition - we will be announcing the winner in the next episode!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to Episode 11 of GrassRoots – Women’s Rugby from the Roots Up. In this extra special episode we welcome the finalists from the Papa John’s Plate competition. Both Avonmouth Claire’s Ladies and Workington Zebra Finches had the honour of playing at Twickenham; we explore the day, what it meant for their respective teams, the joy of winning and the pain of losing. It is a brilliant account of a special day for both teams, and gives great insight into how much work went into it and what effect it has had on their clubs and teams. We also discuss how to choose a rugby team and Mollie makes an interesting suggestion. Jodie laments playing against players with long hair and we ruminate on the pitfalls of promotion and why playoffs are a good idea. Don’t forget to enter our competition! To win a full kit with Halbro including shirts, shorts and socks visit www.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypod.  To play in the GrassRoots Nomads, get in touch at grassrootswomen@hotmail.com To support the pod,please ‘buy us a coffee’ – for just £4 you can help us develop content, pay forthe various subscriptions we need to keep it going, and generally make ushappy: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod To followGrassRoots:Twitter: @gr_rugbyInsta: Grassrootsrugbypod

Welcome to Episode 10 of GrassRoots – Women’s Rugby from the Roots Up. This episode covers the end of season fights for promotion, relegation and the various cup competitions. Mollie and Goose are preparing for an (unsuccessful) attempt at getting to Twickenham and we welcome back Fiona Brunt. Fiona gives us a great behind the scenes tour of life as a ref when teams are feeling the pressure and takes over the helm of the scuttled schooner of Knock on / Knock off - it’s a fascinating listen. We have mini interview pitch-side with Cheltenham Tigers and finally manage to pin down ChezSez for a catch up with the usual mayhem. Make sure you put August the 19th in the Diary for the next GrassRoots Festival at Avonmouth Claire’s Ladies! Ticketing information will be out soon. To play in the GrassRoots Nomads, get in touch at grassrootswomen@hotmail.com To support the pod,please ‘buy us a coffee’ – for just £4 you can help us develop content, pay forthe various subscriptions we need to keep it going, and generally make ushappy: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod To followGrassRoots:Twitter: @gr_rugbyInsta: Grassrootsrugbypod

Welcome to Episode 9 of GrassRoots – Women’s Rugby from the Roots Up.County Rugby is nearly upon us, so we dissect the benefits and disadvantages of trials, and how we feel it could be better. We rather uncharacteristically give ourselves pats on the back, and Mollie celebrates 100 caps.Our guest interview is the very excellent Holly Feller, a prop turned Referee from Devon. She gives us a brilliant insight into how to become a ref, and how it helped her get back to the game from a serious injury.Mollie brings a new quiz into the mix and Jodie cheats and the usual nonsense ensues.ChezSez has been on holiday, and generally very busy but don’t worry, we’ll do a special 1 off episode with her next week!Oh and we announce the date and the venue for the GrassRoots Festival in August!To support the pod, please ‘buy us a coffee’ – for just £4 you can help us develop content, pay for the various subscriptions we need to keep it going, and generally make us happy: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypodTo play for the GrassRoots Nomads in August, email us at: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comTo follow GrassRoots:Twitter: @gr_rugbyInsta: Grassrootsrugbypod

Welcome to Episode 8 of GrassRoots – Women’s Rugby from the Roots Up.In this special episode we meet the amazing Sue Anstiss.In a brilliant and wide-ranging interview, we discuss Sue’s work advocating women in sport, her amazing book ‘Game On, the Unstoppable Rise of Women’s in Sport’ and her upcoming documentary, Game On.Sue very kindly picks our ‘Bruise of the Month’ Winner, and gives us an amazing insight into the incredible people behind the growth of women’s rugby.We hear some VERY interesting news from our league which prompts us to discuss how to get rid of your coach. Jodie brings an Italian theme to Knock On / Knock off and Mollie backpedals on her rant about the new tackle height laws.We have a new competition!To enter, go to any book shop, take a picture of you ‘rearranging’ Sue Anstiss’ book, send it to grassrootswomen@hotmail.com with the Hashtag #Shelfie and be in with a chance of winning a very limited edition copy of ‘Game On’, signed by Sue and Dame Tammi Grey-Thompson.There’s still time to donate to  Matt and Lou’s Pim and Pam’ fund. We are just £40 short!: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypodTo follow GrassRoots:Twitter: @gr_rugbyInsta: Grassrootsrugbypod

Welcome to Episode 7 of GrassRoots – this is definitely not one for the car on the school run, unless your kids are rugby players too, then they’ve probably heard worse.In one of our silliest episodes yet, ChezSez has an encounter with a rather vigorous Masseuse, and despite her protestations, ends up worse than when she started.We discuss gloating; where the line is and how to cross it. We dig up a bit of a recording to troll Lou and Mollie goes postal about the new tackle height laws.Avonmouth Claire’s ladies are our special guests, we hear about the Oggyman, inter team rivalries and more shower etiquette.Jodie is in the wars again, and an unusual victor in ‘Knock-on / knock off’.Don’t forget to enter our competition. Send a picture of your best bruises to grassrootswomen@hotmail.com with a screen shot of you rating the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.To donate to the ‘get Matt and Lou to Pim and Pam’ fund: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypodTo follow GrassRoots:Twitter: @gr_rugbyInsta: Grassrootsrugbypod

Welcome to season 2, episode 6!In this meandering run towards the try-line of rugby chat from GrassRoots, we cover the usual blend of topics from the sublime to the ridiculous.We welcome the excellent Callie from The Columbia Bombshells in South Carolina, USA. Callie talks us through her journey from competition ski racer to rugby player, and what it’s like to play rugby in a country that doesn’t really know what it is.Jodie has a disastrous date not date, we discuss the intricacies of inter-team friendships and tackle the endless joy of team selection, being dropped and how to handle fighting for position in a competitive squad.Knock on Knock off is the usual dog’s dinner and Mollie has a code red. Actual red.Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

An original and distinctly average pod playPerformed by untrained actorsHappy Christmas to all our listeners!

Welcome to season 2, episode 5!Here’s episode 5, another all you can eat buffet of rugby chat with some archaeology thrown in for good measure.We welcome Birkenhead Panthers, fresh off the pitch from a close fought draw versus Crewe and Nantwich Women where we hear about their team, their aims for the season and another Stupid Ref.Cherie is back in the saddle, or more specifically the mobility hoist where we discuss recovery from the rugby bus after 35. She has an odd encounter with Matt in the backstreets of Crewe and you really mustn’t look up custard tarts on urban dictionary.The main discussion topic is progressing under 18 girls into the main women’s squads and we wrap up the rugby world cup.Jodie is absent presumed smashed in the face, so Mollie marshals Knock on/Knock off with aplomb and we continue our series of Fantasy XV, this time with the USA and Fiji.Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to season 2, episode 4!Veritable smorgasbord of rugby chat, we welcome back the fabulous Victoria Rush. Fresh from a UK tour of No Woman No Try, she joins us to discuss the missed drop goal of the World Cup Coverage and how to encourage more people to watch rugby.Jodie has managed to injure herself again and we talk about the recent case of a player suing an opposition player for a serious injury.We discuss the ins and outs of insurance and the concept of public liability – this is a lot more interesting than it sounds!Knock on / Knock off focuses on Kazakhstan, we revisit the joys (!) of Crocs, and Fantasy XV looks at France, Japan and Wales for an eclectic mix for the back row. A history lesson too for those who are interested!Chez’s son joins us, and we hear about one of the best GrassRoots incidents on the pitch for a while!We hope you enjoy the episode.Please don’t forget to give us a rating, and If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod we are raising money for some equipment to make the pod even better!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to season 2, episode 3!In this head-on-head contact of an episode we discuss Jodie’s latest injury and she updates us on The Bet.Mollie returns from her pod break, we dig up and resuscitate the stiff cadaver of ‘Fantasy 15’ with a Rugby World Cup theme and we discuss the trials, tribulations and car-crashes of inter-team relationships.Chez gets rucking and Jodie really doesn’t like Crocs.Our special guest this episode is the brilliant Jemma, AKA The Prop Life. Jemma is now TikTok and Insta famous after bringing her unique takes on the rugby experience to social media. She gives us a brilliant insight into why she does it, how she keeps it fresh and her journey in rugby. Oh, and she also has a Stupid Ref story.We hope you enjoy the episode.Next time we are going to attempt to do a live, in-person recording. This will require some equipment. If you enjoyed the pod and would happily buy us a beer in the clubhouse, then please drop us a few quid on Ko-fi. This is the link: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodTo follow Jemma on Instagram: @theproplifeTo buy her brilliant merch: https://www.ttapparel.co.uk/theproplifeShe’s also mega on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theproplifeFor more information about our awesome sponsor Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to episode 2 of Season 2In this 4-person lineout of a podcast we discuss the withdrawal of Waterloo Women from the league after a long history of being one of the best teams in the North West and what it means for the wider game.We chat about the difference between wearing women’s fit kit and normal stash and Goose has some gossip. Sort of….Jodie quits smoking (and makes a silly bet), Joyce fails badly at quitting rugby, we discuss ‘Shit my Coach Says’ and welcome the fabulous Southport Ladies.Thankfully no wildlife drama this time, although more on that soon…….As always, your feedback makes a massive difference, and particularly your star ratings on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so please take the time to rate us.If you can spare £4 too, www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod helps us cover the costs associated with producing such nonsense!To get in touch:grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to Episode 1 of season 2. In this cross bar challenge of an episode, we discuss the GrassRoots festival, what worked, what we learnt and how we can't wait to do it again. Cherie gets cross with Lou and gets lost in Aberdare and we look forward to the new season.We resurrect 'Every Team's Got One' and introduce a new section 'Sh*t my coach says'. This podcast is hosted by Matt, Lou, Mollie, Jodie and Lucy with ChezSez. To come on the podcast or for enquiries: Grassrootswomen@hotmail.comTwitter: @gr_rugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodLinks: www.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodBuy us a coffee: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypodFor more information about Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to episode 23!In this squirrel-bothering episode we talk about our plans for the inaugural GrassRoots Festival, announce the team, finally and welcome the lovely Joey from Launceston Ladies to the podcast.Jodie brings some Gallic Flair to knock on / knock off with the usual rubbish results, we discuss pre-season friendlies and Goose pops in for a chat.Sadly our recording of ChezSez melted in the heatwave. Or Chez did, so we have had to leave her on the bench this week – don’t worry though, there will be a bumper show next time!As always, your feedback makes a massive difference, and particularly your star ratings on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so please take the time to rate us.If you can spare £4 too, www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypod helps us cover the costs associated with producing such nonsense!To get in touch: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comwww.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodFor more information about Halbro: www.halbro.com / fergus@halbro.com

Welcome to episode 22 of GrassRoots, the only podcast able to bring club-level women’s rugby to life.In this pre-season friendly of an episode we discuss rugby’s relationship with alcohol, our tournament on the 27th August and ChezSez drinks the bar dry in Turkey whilst owning some Russian water polo players.We discuss sexuality within the game (briefly) and Dundee Valkyries come on the pod to talk about their growth and the challenges of building a team in the frozen wastelands of Scotland. To follow the podcast:Facebook: @grassrootsrugbypodTwitter: @gr_rugbypodInsta: @grassrootsrugbypodEmail: grassrootswomen@hotmail.comTo buy us a coffee: www.ko-fi.com/grassrootsrugbypodFor more information about the pod: www.linktr.ee/grassrootsrugbypodPlease complete our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7JF7WL2