A Bradford rugby league legend and PE teacher at Tong Leadership Academy has said her final farewells to her team after 18 years of playing for Bradford Bulls Women.
Danielle Bose was given a guard of honour by her Bradford Bulls Women teammates at her final match against Wakefield Trinity.
The Bulls won 46-6 with Danielle scoring a spectacular hat-trick in what was her final game for her club.
Danielle, who works as a PE teacher at Tong Leadership Academy, began playing rugby league as a 10-year-old, when female role models in the sport were few and far between.
She has since built a professional rugby league career spanning 18 years with the Bradford Bulls and has represented England in six Rugby League Test Matches.
Danielle is now determined to ensure that future generations of young women are able to experience the many benefits of playing the sport.
She said: “I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a family full of passionate Bulls supporters. As a child, I joined my brother and cousin on a rugby training camp. I really enjoyed the experience and I began to play on a mixed boys and girls team.
“At that time, I didn’t know that this was a sport that girls could play and I couldn’t see any pathways into the rugby at any professional level.
“I used to get some horrible comments for playing – ‘you’re a man.’ ‘Why are you playing a men’s sport?’
“Thankfully, times have changed and the support you get playing women’s rugby in Bradford and for your country is second to none.
“Playing a sport like rugby you get a real connection with your team. You are looking after your friends and supporting one another – you are literally picking each other up off the floor. It’s a sport that builds incredible resilience.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be able to share some of my experience with the pupils at Tong Leadership Academy, where I have started to teach rugby during PE lessons.
“My experience particularly resonates with the girls. I’m really proud of the way some of our young women, who have never had the opportunity to play rugby, have taken to the sport and their eagerness to get stuck in. I’d love for them to experience some of the many opportunities on offer through rugby league clubs, such as international travel and first-class coaching.
“I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Bradford Bulls Women but I intend to stick around to help with coaching some of the younger players.
“I feel very privileged to have represented the club and my country in a sport that I love.”
Danielle, who has worked at Tong Leadership Academy for more than 10 years, is a positive role model to pupils and, more widely, all women in rugby. She is now building links with local rugby clubs so that Tong pupils can benefit from professional training.
