Over three years ago, TackleLondon spoke to Saffron for International Women’s Day. Even then, it was clear rugby had become something much bigger to her than a game. She spoke about the joy of having a space where girls could simply have fun together, and about watching the first all-female match – an experience that gave her, in her own words, “a boost of confidence and a bit more hope.”
She talked, too, about wanting to be a role model for the younger girls coming up behind her – showing them they could grow up to be an influence, on the pitch and beyond.
Fast forward to today, and Saffron, number 12, has secured her first international cap.
Hearing her words back now, it’s hard not to feel a real sense of wonder. The girl who spoke about hope and confidence is the same young woman who now represents her country.
The European Youth Touch Championships 2026 run through 13th – 16th August 2026, hosted by University of Warwick. Fixture times and updates will be uploaded here: Federation of International Touch – European Youth Touch Championships – 2026 – Girls 15
We’re so grateful to have witnessed the start of her journey, and that watching someone grow from those early words into this achievement is exactly why we love doing this work. Congratulations, Saffron!
The Wider Picture: Opportunity Beyond the Pitch
Saffron’s story is a brilliant, personal example of something we see more broadly through TackleLondon: what happens when young Londoners are given a genuine route into sport. For many, that first taste of organised rugby is about far more than the game itself – it builds confidence, discipline, teamwork and a sense of belonging that carries well beyond the touchline.
That’s the real value of programmes like TackleLondon: they open a door. What each young person does once they’ve walked through it is entirely up to them: a local league, a school team, a national squad, or simply a group of friends who look forward to Tuesday sessions. The opportunity is the same either way, and it stretches well beyond the pitch and the classroom, into how young people see themselves and what they believe is possible.
Every young person who takes that opportunity and runs with it, in whatever direction suits them, becomes a visible example for the next group coming through – the minis on the sidelines wondering if they could do the same. That ripple effect is central to why this work matters.