Millwall Rugby Club is abuzz with the announcement of their first female member selected to play at international level. Having tried rugby at school, Leigh Dargan began training with the club's women's team, Venus during the 2008/09 season. On Wednesday she was named to play for Ireland.
“She was a sprinter when she was younger so she’s a natural athlete,” said co-coach Darryl Gera, “She’s an unstoppable talent and regularly scored multiple tries for Venus.”
Dargan moved on to play second row and number 8 for Saracens. This season she joined the new Irish Exiles team where she came to the Irish coach's attention.
“Having had two kids, it helped that both Venus coaches kept telling me I could play internationally. They’re my friends and their regular encouragement helped drive me to put in the work to get here at 30,” said Dargan. “It just shows you’re never too old to try a sport.”
Venus has welcomed many beginners, with a squad including English, Welsh, French, Dutch and Polish. “They’re a very talented squad. We’re confident at least two more of them could gain international honours but they’ll have to work hard like Leigh has,” said co-coach Andrew Bates.
Millwall Rugby Club's Venus Ladies team trains every Wednesday at 7:30pm at Mudchute Farm and plays or trains on Sundays. The Club also runs non-contact touch rugby sessions on Sundays at 3pm throughout the winter.
