Primary school pastoral lead played for the Lionesses during the 1998 New Zealand world tour
An Oldham primary school support staff who represented the country at the Lionesses 1998 New Zealand world tour has been honoured at a recent ‘pride of the lionesses’ celebratory event where she was awarded an honours cap and a heritage number, which notes players contribution to a club or country.
Coppice Primary Academy’s pastoral lead, Heather Biggs, who played in the tournament as number 10 in the interim and beginning games, was joined by more than 100 former GB England Lionesses at the prestigious occasion, which took place on November 9 at Headingly Stadium, Leeds.
Attended by more than 400 people, the event recognised the achievements of the players, all of whom represented the country’s women’s rugby league team, known as the Lionesses, in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Heather, who coached former and current Women’s Rugby players alongside her work at Coppice Primary Academy, was also joined by her former teammates, including Lisa Mcintosh, a member of the Hall of Fame and representative of black women in the Women’s Rugby League. As well as, former women’s referee pioneer, Julia Lee.
Commenting on Heather’s achievement, Coppice Primary Academy’s executive principal, John Taylor, said the children were “extremely excited and proud” to have a celebrity in their midst.
Heather, who has worked at Coppice Primary Academy since 2002 as a pastoral lead for the children while also managing attendance, DDSL and teaching PHSE, said: “It was an honour to be amongst many amazing women who were all being honoured for their dedication to the sport.
“I started playing the sport in 1995 and seeing how it has evolved into a mainstream game and conversation is fantastic. I have had many life-changing experiences playing rugby and would encourage anyone to give it a go.
“All women who played in the 1990s and early 2000s had to commit everything to the game to play therefore recognition and celebration are so important because it was our whole lives for a long time without getting a fraction of the attention our male counterparts got.
“I hope my story inspires the young girls I work with to know that there is never a designated gender for any sport.”
Coppice Primary Academy’s executive principal, John Taylor, added: “We are extremely proud of Miss Biggs and are thrilled that her achievements are recognised in such a brilliant way.
“We are very lucky to have such an inspirational female figure amongst our staff.”
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