An article from one of our local sports heroes – Rosie Galligan

I’m writing this having just made my World Cup debut where I scored 3 tries – unheard of for a Lock some might say! The last few weeks have been incredible. Getting behind the girls when they took on Fiji and France, but also making the most of my time out in New Zealand by dolphin watching, visiting lots of coffee shops and going to beaches and waterfalls.

I didn’t always dream of being a rugby player. In fact my sporting journey started with netball, hockey and cricket. I was at a nets session one evening at Addington Cricket Club and my coach said to me ‘you really remind me of Catherine Spencer’ (former England captain). A summer later and I was playing at a touch tournament at Aylesford rugby club with my brother and loved the social side of rugby. I then decided to join the U18 girls setup and the rest was history!

I played for Kent County, London and South East, captained England U20s and joined Saracens at the age of 18. I had 5 incredible years at Saracens where I became double prem champion and received my first England Cap in 2019. Unfortunately, I contracted meningitis in September 2019 and went on to break my ankle in January 2020. It was when I was lying on the floor on gas and air I decided to use this injury to come back stronger. Fast forward 3 years, I received my 2nd England camp in the 2022 Six Nations and currently at my first World Cup! Playing yesterday was a dream come true and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. Hopefully I’ll be returning to Addington with a nice shiny medal!