Women’s Rugby Shirt

Details

Portora Royal School. Enniskillen, Ireland.

In 1884, Emily Valentine’s brothers formed the school’s first rugby team. In 1887, the team was a man down and needed another player. As luck would have it, Emily was on the sidelines and wearing suitable footwear. They put her in.

At the age of 10, she became the first female on record to play rugby.

“At last my chance came. I got the ball—I can still feel the damp leather and the smell of it, and see the tag of lacing at the opening. I grasped it and ran dodging, darting, but I was so keen to score that try that I did not pass it, perhaps when I should. I still raced on, I could see the boy coming towards me… Breathless, with my heart thumping, my knees shaking a bit, I ran. Yes, I had done it; one last spurt and I touched down, right on the line. I had scored my try.”

—From Emily Valentine’s journal.

For all your breathless, heart-thumping victories on the field and off, we offer the Women’s Rugby Shirt (No. 6521). Long-sleeve in 100% cotton jersey. Every bit as tough as the men’s version. (That should surprise no one.) Four buttons on center front placket. Imported.