The Celtic Sea Snakes celebrated more than a win after their game against the Timaru Harlequins.

They thumped the South Canterbury team 73 – 0, a bittersweet moment for Celtic player Amelia Aldridge

“They’re only in their second year, and I think they’re struggling for numbers.

“We’ve been in that same position and know exactly how it feels.”

Aldridge joined the McKain Quality Construction Celtic Senior Women’s team, better known as the Sea Snakes, in its infancy,

“I’m the only original player left actually, I started when they started the team about seven years ago.”

Last week, she played her 50th game for the club, making her the first Celtic woman’s player to do so.

“It’s nice to be recognised for the hard work I’ve put in for the last seven years,” she said.

Aldridge joined the Celtic crew having never played a game of rugby herself, though she’d grown up attending games with grandad.

She jumped on board with a few friends, keen to learn a new sport after playing football in her college years.

Rugby is a chance for her to socialise after a long day of machining, and a chance to let out stress.

“For people who play sport, it’s that one time where you can let competitiveness out.”

But it was a tough start for the girls.

“When we first started, we played the metro competition in Christchurch.”

“We were a brand new team, full of girls who mostly hadn’t ever played.”

The team of mostly newbies were paired with experienced clubs and, for a lack of better words, “got their asses kicked,” Aldridge said.

“But that’s all we had.”

The team also had to battle the reputation Celtic had amongst multigenerational families in Mid Canterbury, struggling to make team numbers for a squad.

Things look different now. There’s been a huge uptick in women’s rugby numbers in Mid Canterbury, particularly in the last three years.

“I think rugby generally, especially around the guys, the numbers are dwindling. But in the women’s [teams], we’re seeing a turnaround,” coach Shaun Cooper said.

“We were really happy this year that Hampstead entered a team into the competition, and next year, Mt Somers is looking to add a team.

“I think in the next few years, you could absolutely see women’s rugby eclipsing men’s rugby in Mid Canterbury.”

Cooper said Aldridge’s 50 caps were testament to her dedication to small-town rugby.

“We’re just stoked for her.

“Even though she’s young, she really cares about the team, and really cares about the club.”

He said coaches and clubs in the district got along well, which made for a healthy culture amongst the teams.

“That in itself brings players into wanting to try rugby.”

The rise in women’s rugby has spanned all ages, Aldridge said.

“I know this year they had a girls only rippa rugby league, for girls under 8.”

A lot of talent heads to the cities after college, but she’s confident that Mid Canterbury women’s rugby will continue to grow.

By Anisha Satya