Claire Garner: Castleford Tigers women skipper and England international retires, aged 30

[mdean]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55546012
All the very best, a lot of commitment to the game there - Good luck.

[Mucky1978]

Oh well.

[Lofthouse Tiger]

And?

[mdean]

I am not sure whether the "Oh well" and the "and" relate to the original posting.

Our highly successful women's team captain and one of our internationals is retiring - personally, I think it is news-worthy and I am delighted that the BBC have it in their often lamentable RL coverage.

[alftupper]

Trust the good old, right on beeb to cover this non story. They have also devoted column inches on a woman who’s never played a Rugby League game in her life and aims to play for Brazil in the ‘World Cup’. I suppose that at least illustrated the Mickey Mouse nature of women’s rugby.

[Swagger]

She went to work in Ireland a while back and fell for a girl over there. Helped her to decide

[tigerfeat]

I think the girls will win a trophy this season if they get back playing I used to like go watch them in 2019 they created something good and positive getting 1500 hundred people down lane to watch a game at one point
Seems a lifetime ago that now ...

[FIat Capper]

Trust the good old, right on beeb to cover this non story. They have also devoted column inches on a woman who’s never played a Rugby League game in her life and aims to play for Brazil in the ‘World Cup’. I suppose that at least illustrated the Mickey Mouse nature of women’s rugby.

Perhaps the stories highlight the need for greater support of women's sport and I for one look forward to the growth of women's RL in particular.

They don't get paid for playing the game so striking a life/playing balance will be tested by many issues such as better job opportunities, relationships, injury/health and finances, to name but a few.

She had a successful career in the game and therefore is a story of note.

I wish her all the best and hope she doesn't leave the game entirely.

[westyorkylad]

Really enjoyed watching the womens team last time round, they played some great rugby, showed some excellent skills and some of the hits and ball carries were top drawer.

Having played amateur RL for the best part of 20 years, and 2/3 of that in the front row, there's a number of them lasses that I wouldnt have looked forwards to running at.

I certainly wouldnt class them as mickey mouse players especially at the elite level, and I take my hat off to anyone who had/has the bottle to pull on a shirt and cross the white line at any age or gender, whether they were good, bad or indifferent, it still takes guts.

[casjunction]

Went to a few matches home and away and enjoyed the games.
Some were without doubt rather one sided.
However there was no lack of commitment.
I unfortunately have to admit that I never played either code.
As it just l have to admit of interest to me.
However having watched my sons play and seen their injuries close up l admit regardless of the level it's not a sport for the faint hearted.
Raising the profile of the game is essential if it wants to expand.
Which is pretty much why we got involved with Dwain Chambers if my memory serves me correctly.
So well done Claire enjoy your retirement but I think you will miss the involvement.

[noxandrattles]

Really enjoyed watching the womens team last time round, they played some great rugby, showed some excellent skills and some of the hits and ball carries were top drawer.

Having played amateur RL for the best part of 20 years, and 2/3 of that in the front row, there's a number of them lasses that I wouldnt have looked forwards to running at.

I certainly wouldnt class them as mickey mouse players especially at the elite level, and I take my hat off to anyone who had/has the bottle to pull on a shirt and cross the white line at any age or gender, whether they were good, bad or indifferent, it still takes guts.

spot on :clap: :clap: i played many years starting as a fullback and as the years passed beer & chips took their toll and i ended up in the front row and i certainly would not have thought them lasses were 'easybeats'