As Cumbria Women’s Rugby team sets its sights on Twickenham, it has been announced that Kendal Calling has pledged its support.

Having defeated Essex this past weekend, the team embarks to the finals of the Gill Burns County Championship, taking them to Twickenham for the first time in the team’s history.

Despite this success, funding has grown increasingly challenging in a women’s sport typically underfunded and a team reliant on donations entirely.

All teams in the league are allocated the same funding, however after being placed in a group with Staffordshire, Oxfordshire and Essex – the teams funding has barely been able to cover the costs of their journey in the tournament so far.

In reaction, the Cumbria RFU have launched a GoFundMe, backed by Cumbria’s biggest music festival, Kendal Calling – who have become shirt sponsors for the team.

Kendal Calling is delighted to get behind the county’s premier women’s rugby team with an initial £2,000 donation as they set out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, rounding off what’s been nothing short of a phenomenal season. 

Andy Smith, Co-founder of Kendal Calling said, “We have been keeping an excitedly watchful eye on Cumbria Women’s Rugby team this season, cheering on their successes throughout the tournament. So it truly is an honour to be able to contribute in some way to the final push – the road to Twickenham. We will be willing you on, along with the rest of this wonderful county. Best of luck from all at Kendal Calling.”

Cumbria Women’s Rugby team has seen enormous success in the Gill Burns County Championship this season.

These funds will also be used to help sustain rugby in the county, and propel the team and others to future seasons, training opportunities and more.

With community at its heart, Kendal Calling is over the moon to be able to play a role in securing the rugby club’s future for generations to come, as well as cheering the ladies on as the bright lights of Twickenham draw closer.

The donation from Kendal Calling is visible on the team’s kit, and will also be used towards this weekend’s final game, taking place on Sunday 16th June 2024 at 11am.

Chrissie Hadfield from Cumbria’s Women’s Rugby said: “We are beyond thrilled to have the chance to play at Twickenham. This is an incredible once in a lifetime privilege for so many of our players and we are honestly so excited to have this amazing opportunity.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the amazing people, friends, families and sponsors who have contributed and continue to support and donate to the women’s Gill Burns County Championship.

“Your generosity means the world to us all. We would like to say a huge thank you to Kendal Calling for helping towards covering the costs for Twickenham and for supporting our mission as the women’s team.

“We are over the moon to be playing at Twickenham Stadium in the final, wearing our new shirts provided by Kendal Calling and Halbro. We can’t wait.”

Kendal Calling’s donation takes the team to just shy of their £5,000 target and anyone wanting to can donate to Cumbria Women here

Kendal Calling is a festival built on the foundations of a fantastic community. Each year in the fields, 40,000 festival goers gather with a sense of togetherness which is palpable across the entire site.