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South Wales Argus
14 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Ynysddu rugby team fundraising to play in Premiership
Theo Rushton-Marsh, who plays for Ynysddu BG Women, described her journey with the club as life-changing and is now fundraising to help cover the costs of competing at this level. She said: "I was so nervous about what our next chapter had in store for us. "But what I didn't know was that only down the road, at Ynysddu RFC, was the group of women who were going to completely change my life." The team secured an unbeaten Championship season to earn promotion to the Premiership for the 2025/26 season, and will now play in the top flight of Welsh women's rugby for the first time in the club's history. But Theo says the step up comes with major financial challenges. She said: "Competing in a women's National League means playing games with 10-hour return travel times, paying thousands per game for minibuses because we compete on Sundays, taking out private health insurance because it isn't covered by the club, increasing out-of-training fitness work because we all work full time, and purchasing league-appropriate kit, which for example would cost over £10,000 for just a 23-player team alone, and we have over 30 players registered." Theo has chosen to use her personal sponsorship appeal to raise awareness and funds for Platfform, a mental health charity working across South Wales. She said: "Platfform is a mental health charity that focuses on social change and community as driving factors for improving the wellbeing of those struggling by building authentic connection. "As a service provider, they work to keep people from homelessness, offer therapeutic alternatives to hospitals, and facilitate community projects and meetings." The fundraising has special meaning for Theo, who has spoken openly about her own mental health journey and the role rugby has played in her recovery. She said: "Throughout the years I have been playing rugby I have made multiple attempts on my life, been involuntarily committed to various in-patient stays, and was prescribed around ten medications to 'deal' with the symptoms of ill mental health that I was experiencing without truly addressing the causes. "I do not know where I would be today without rugby and my ever-changing and growing support system." Theo hopes the community will get behind her and the team as they step onto the Premiership stage. She said: "If you don't want to donate because my club is awesome and women's rugby is underfunded and expensive, and if you don't want to donate to support getting the amazing charity Platfform some free advertising, donate because I really love playing rugby with this team and I would really appreciate your support in getting myself to the Premiership through community fundraising. "I know money is tight right now and everything is just so expensive. But if you can spare anything to support me and Ynysddu BG Women – we will go and do our best to win the whole thing again." Donations are accepted through Theo's Go Fund Me page.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Ryan Johnson's own goal gifts Luton all three points in League One opener
Matt Bloomfield's side, who were playing in the Premier League 15 months ago, had produced barely a chance of note – against a team which at the same time were finishing 10th in the fourth tier – until the Dons defender inadvertently lifted the ball over Nathan Bishop from Nahki Wells' forward punt and in off the crossbar with five minutes left. It was the first time since 2019 Luton had played at this level and an immediate return to the Championship looked like being anything but straightforward as Johnnie Jackson's visitors, fresh from victory in the League Two play-off final, contained them with relative ease for much of the match. The opening 45 minutes saw the teams muster two shots on goal between them, both off target and one of which landed on the roof of the Oak Stand behind Wimbledon goalkeeper Bishop. Visiting defender Joe Lewis might have been lucky to escape harsher punishment when he halted a clear run on goal for Wells, receiving just a yellow card for tripping the Hatters debutant when seemingly the last man. Reuell Walters finally had Luton's first shot on target after 63 minutes, drawing an outstanding one-handed save from Bishop with a drilled half-volley from range. Wimbledon looked to have done enough to earn a point, but then came Johnson's unfortunate wayward header to gift the Hatters victory.
