Raising money to go play RAN 15s in Jamaica

Hello my name is Deneya, I’m 19 years old and will be raising money to travel to Jamaica to go and play RAN (Rugby America North) 15s in July. Our kit, food, accommodation, transfers and physiotherapists are covered and our flights are self funded. Therefore, any contributions made will help go towards flights and any other expenses I will need when I am there.

Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to my family for coming to support me and travelling to come and watch my games, and a thank you to friends for their support as well. I’d also like to thank all my coaches and teammates who have taken the time to help me improve my rugby skills and knowledge and who have a lot of faith in me. A huge appreciation to families who are affiliated with the rugby clubs I have been a part of for always supporting my growth on and off the pitch.

Currently I am playing international rugby for Jamaica 7s and 15s. With Jamaica, I have taken part in making history by forming Jamaica’s first women’s 15s team where we played against England’s women’s deaf team. I then went on to play Jamaica 7s at three rugby festivals, Winchester 7s, egg chasers 7s and Eton Manor 7s.

I also play rugby for the University of Worcester women’s rugby team where we came 2nd place in our BUCS league whilst also completing this season with Worcester rfc women’s team in the championship league where we placed 3rd. I achieved breakthrough player of the season. I have also taken part in helping mixed ability rugby grow through taking part in a friendly game and will be involved in touch tournaments with the mixed ability and the women’s 1st team during the preseason.

My journey began at the age of 12 years old where I played for Kings Norton Rhinos Rugby Football Club till the age of 17. Here I played tag, touch and contact rugby.

During my last year at Rhinos, we joined an u18 development league where teams merged together to continue the growth of skills and knowledge within girls’ rugby.

Through playing in this league, coaches from Bournville and Kings Norton Rhinos encouraged me to trial for North Midlands County, where I went on to being selected to be a part of the squad.

Coming to the end of the U18s season I travelled to join the Walsall U18s team alongside this, I also took part in touch rugby with the women’s touch team at Kings Norton Rhinos. Here I was able to take part in a touch festival during the summer of 2021.

My coaches at Walsall RFC encouraged me to go on to begin my training for women’s rugby early where I went on to join Handsworth RUFC and took part in my first women’s rugby game and in preseason training.

From here I have went on to play for my university, Worcester and Jamaica.