Women’s rugby player Tiegan Rider heads to Japan next week, where she will represent England at World Cup level.

Tiegan, 26, of Worksop, will join teammates as they meet players from across the world on the pitch in Tokyo, in the third World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship.

Although she plays for East Retford RUFC, Tiegan has been a member of Worksop Rugby Club for many years, and has watched her two brothers, dad, grandad, uncles and cousins all play there since being small.

Tiegan, who is a paramedic, now coaches at the club and has taken on the role of safeguarding officer.

Tiegan Rider at her England shirt presentation for Japan.

placeholder image — Tiegan Rider at her England shirt presentation for Japan.

The former pupil at Outwood Academy Portland in Worksop took up rugby seriously only four years ago, after gaining a scholarship to pursue her sport at Bournemouth University.

Tiegan has not always been deaf. In 2023 she was knocked out, sustaining an injury during a rugby match, then found she was experiencing problems with her hearing, and went on to have multiple scans, referrals and hearing aids.

Her injury left her with deafness in one ear. "It's high trauma-related," she explained. "It was difficult at first to adapt as I couldn't hear much at all out on the pitch.

"But it's also kind of like a blessing it happened because I've got this amazing opportunity as a result of it."

Tiegan Rider of Worksop in action on the rugby pitch.

She continued: "I'm massively nervous about the trip to Tokyo, but also really excited. We've been training hard with extra sessions for some time, mostly down at clubs between Buckingham and Peterborough. The men's team will also be playing."

Tiegan, who plays scrum half or fly half positions said her injuries from the game have never deterred her from playing on.

Last year she suffered ruptured ligaments in her knee and hip, and may still need surgery at a later date.

"I've got such a love of the sport I won't let anything stop me playing if I can help it," she added. "I want to have a good rugby career so the injuries are pushed to the side for now. I can carry on regardless."

Tiegan Rider as a rugby scholar and women's team captain at Bournemouth University.

She will go to Japan unaccompanied by partner Dylan Waddell, who plays for Worksop RUFC, but he and many other fans in Worksop and Retford will be watching the action as it is streamed.

"I'm still in touch with my PE teachers at Portland and I owe them for pushing me on with sport as they did - and still do. They are definitely one of the reasons I've had the confidence to get this far," added Tiegan.

Neil Hopkinson, chair of Worksop RUFC, said: “Both Worksop and East Retford are sending our utmost support to Tiegan and the England women's deaf team.”