Camaraderie And Community

Lowri Brown, Wales

“See It. Believe It.” is a powerful storytelling campaign, launched in partnership with Vodafone, that inspires new audiences to watch women’s rugby by challenging the perceptions that exist around the game and celebrating the sport. In a landmark year for the women’s game, these stories showcase the skill, physicality, and competitiveness that define the sport through the eyes of elite players, pathway players, and fans.

Lowri Brown is a lifelong Welsh rugby fan and former player for the Cardiff University Ladies Rugby team. Her love for the sport began with her grandad and led her to become the first girl to join the Welsh Rugby Union’s ball team.

My name is Lowri, I am 26 and from Cardiff, Wales. Rugby has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of watching rugby are with my Grandad on Saturdays when my older brother and I stayed with him. I was fascinated by the game. Although my Grandad has passed away, those memories are ones I will always treasure.

At 14, I joined the Cardiff Rugby (then Cardiff Blues) ball team, becoming the first girl to do so for Cardiff. Part of my role was to follow the game, help retrieve balls and get the ball back in play. Many days were spent braving the Welsh weather at The Arms Park, armed with a ball and a towel. This deepened my love for the sport, as I was “up close and personal” with the action.

I continue to be a regular at The Arms Park, going to the games with my mum and cheering on the team.

My involvement with Cardiff led to being part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s international match day ball team, again as the first (and for several years, the only) girl. Eventually, I became an assistant manager of the ball team until 2020, when COVID hit.

For six years, I had the privilege of being on the pitch at the national stadium of Wales, walking out through the tunnel onto the iconic Principality Stadium field for every international match.

Initially supporting the men’s team, it was incredible to see the same ball team also support the women’s team, helping to elevate the game and ensure it received the same match day essentials.

Learning From The Best

Growing up, there were few women’s rugby teams, so I only really began playing the sport more seriously at university. I joined the Cardiff University Ladies Rugby team in my first year, and that experience opened my eyes to the warmth and camaraderie of the rugby community. Captained in my first year by Abbie Flemming (now a Welsh International), I learned the sport from fantastic coaches and made lifelong friends.

Throughout my university years, I travelled across the UK playing in the BUCS league. Joining the team was the best decision I made - it was the highlight of my university experience.

Now, I attend women’s games with friends I made through rugby, and we wear our Welsh team kits with pride. We like to get to the matches early to soak up the atmosphere and excitement for the game, always making sure to sing our hearts out during the anthem and start a few “oggy oggy oggies”.

Enjoying The Game

I was not shocked to read that 45% of sports fans in the UK would not watch women’s rugby. Vodafone’s research has shown that outdated, biased views - such as women’s rugby players not being as tough as the men - still exist. Often, this leads people to dismiss the women’s game without ever experiencing it. However, I was encouraged to see that people who had watched at least one women’s rugby game were more likely to watch the Women’s Six Nations than the Men’s.

I can relate to this in my own experience. During my university’s 2019 varsity game, many social media comments mentioned how the women’s match was entertaining and thrilling to watch . It just shows that there is a larger audience to tap into and real potential to grow the game.

It is so important that brands like Vodafone back women’s sport. Their investment really helps drive growth and visibility, and it also plays a big role in shifting public perception, boosting awareness in the UK and beyond, and inspiring the next generation to get behind the women’s game.

Rugby On The Rise

I think one of the things that makes the women’s game so engaging right now is its presence on social media. Women’s rugby is making large strides to grow the sport and connect with its audience, but there is still room for more growth.

Vodafone also found that 42% of Brits felt that a lack of coverage was a key barrier to becoming fans of women’s rugby, which I can relate to.

When I was growing up, there were few women’s teams, and they were hardly talked about. However, it is easier now to find a team, and it is inspiring to see more female athletes being recognised in the media.

Social media is key to engaging a new generation of fans, giving them an up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the sport and showcasing players’ relatable personalities. Ilona Maher, for example, is the most followed rugby player on the planet and uses her platform to share the sport’s greatness.

The women’s game is still growing, and there is a sense of unity, camaraderie, and respect. It does not matter who you are, what you believe, or how you identify - what matters is the shared love for the game. That is what makes it so special. The sport is about more than winning or losing; it is about passion, inclusivity, and positivity. I encourage anyone to watch a game and experience the incredible atmosphere for themselves.

Looking Ahead

I hope to see further investment in the women’s game, both at a grassroots and international level, providing not only financial support but also improved facilities, social media promotion, and overall support for the teams.

It was brilliant to get involved with Vodafone’s “See It. Believe It.” campaign, as it is so important to showcase the energy of a women’s rugby match and the joy of being a supporter. Hopefully, it inspires more people to experience the excitement for themselves.

Ultimately, I hope that the women’s game gets the recognition and investment it deserves to continue growing and bringing more people to the sport.

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Vodafone is working with lifelong Welsh rugby fan Lowri Brown to tackle false stereotypes, and bring the game to new audiences. As the Nation’s Network, Vodafone is committed to lifting the nation through the power of positive connections. The “See It. Believe It.” campaign builds on the brand’s long-standing support for women’s rugby since becoming the Founding Principal Partner of Women’s and Girl’s Rugby in Wales in 2022.