A Lynn groundsperson made history on Saturday at the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final.
Lucy Rogers was part of the first-ever all-female grounds team to prepare the pitch for the showpiece event, held at the Allianz Stadium.
Rogers, a member of the greenkeeping staff at King’s Lynn Golf Club, was among 15 pioneering women chosen to take charge of pitch duties at the home of England rugby.
The initiative, called “15 behind the 15”, was organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA) in partnership with England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
The team was drawn from across sport and education to spotlight female talent in grounds management and inspire more women to consider careers in the industry.
Speaking before Saturday’s final, Lucy said: “I’m really proud to be part of history. I was looking forward to creating the perfect pitch for the final and hopefully inspiring more women and girls in King’s Lynn and beyond to get involved.
“If you can see it, you can be it. Grounds management is for everyone, it’s a rewarding career that offers unique opportunities, like working at world-class sporting venues such as Allianz Stadium.”
The World Cup itself broke multiple records, selling more than three times as many tickets as the previous tournament in New Zealand, with the final becoming the most attended women’s rugby match in history.
The event also highlighted the growing demands facing grassroots rugby. Women’s participation has surged, with Sport England reporting that adult female numbers in England rose from around 25,000 in 2017 to over 60,000 by 2025.
However, with almost half of the grounds staff aged between 45 and 64 and around 1,500 retiring each year, the GMA warned that the industry needs more women to step forward.
Currently, fewer than 10% of professional groundspeople are female.
Jen Carter, of the GMA, who helped deliver the landmark project, said: “The growth of women’s sport is incredible, and the contribution of grounds teams can’t be overlooked.
“From grassroots to the World Cup, their hard work makes sport possible. But we need more women and girls like Lucy to consider a career in grounds management, as without it, the growth of women’s sport could be held back.”
