There are probably easier ways for a rugby player to raise money for her club. Actually, a lot of ideas come to mind. However, Chelsie Jones has chosen a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run.

Next May, the Warwick Women’s RFC player is tackling a 113km triathlon with a goal of raising £1,000 to support a club that has become an important part of her life. 

Jones arrived at the University of Warwick having never played rugby, but with a sporting background. During her first year of Medical School, Jones was looking for something that could provide both a break from the demands of her studies and career while providing a sense of community.

Rugby turned out to be exactly that. A theme that is replicated throughout the rugby community season upon season. The community aspects of the sport are often overlooked, but eventually become the reason why people stick around. 

“I grew up with a military Dad that played and coached rugby but had always felt I wasn’t ‘built’ like a traditional rugby player,” Jones said. “But he suggested that I might find my place amongst the mud and the scrum caps, and he was right.”

Rugby quickly became her favorite part of the week.

“It gave me the inclusive community I needed, but it also built my confidence on and off the pitch, something I’m so grateful for.”

That community has grown dramatically.

Only a few years ago, Warwick Women’s RFC struggled to put a side on the pitch. Today, the club boasts more than 70 women’s members and has reached a major milestone with the addition of an official second team competing in BUCS competition.

The club won both the SRFU Outstanding Club of the Year and the Warwick Students’ Union (SU) Club of the Year for 2025/2026.

Previously, the club worked to arrange development matches for newer players, but ran into multiple obstacles making those valuable playing opportunities difficult to provide. The addition of a formal second side is a big step as it means regularly scheduled matches and increased resource needs. Most importantly, it provides more opportunities for players to experience competitive rugby.

People join rugby clubs to play, grow, and develop their skills. 

“Having BUCS funding and scheduled matches gives more of our members chances to play regularly and learn how to integrate training drills into matches,” Jones said. 

Money raised through her challenge goes towards helping support that second team and bring more opportunities to women’s players. Funds will also help replace equipment and kit while assisting Warwick players interested in gaining first aid and refereeing qualifications.

Warwick’s ambitions extend beyond the touchlines.

The club runs Inner Warrior sessions that bring university rugby programs together to share technical drills, ideas and club communication skills. Warwick Women’s RFC hopes additional funding allows those sessions and connections across the women’s game to continue growing.

Growth is a tricky process. When it comes quickly, focus can be lost on the finer details. It has a way of taking focus away from things that matter the most, such as culture. Behind the growth of the Warwick Women’s sides is a club culture that places just as much emphasis on supporting the person wearing the jersey.

One of the best examples is Rug-tea. A truly unique offering in Clubland. 

Rug-tea began in 2019 as a weekly welfare check in where players met between studies and rugby. Led by the club’s welfare officers, it has since developed to include initiatives such as “Tackle the Taboo,” which creates a comfortable environment for conversations about subjects players might otherwise find difficult to discuss.

Over coffee or tea and a slice of cake, members can talk about everything from rugby and inclusivity to personal challenges away from the pitch.

For Jones, those small moments are part of what makes Warwick Women’s RFC worth swimming, cycling and running 113 kilometers for.

During difficult days, her teammates have held the tackle bags, baked cookies and cheered her through challenges both inside and outside rugby. After returning from injury herself, these efforts represent an opportunity to give something back to the community that helped her find confidence in a new home.

The £1,000 fundraising target helps pay for transportation, equipment, courses and rugby opportunities, but the story behind it is even more important.

Warwick Women’s RFC has grown from around 15 players to more than 70. It would be really easy to get complacent after a period of growth such as that. 

However, they continue to create reasons for women to walk through the door and give rugby a try! This is a lesson that can be used across the grassroots regardless of where you are located. The trial sessions, team events, development opportunities, welfare programs help make Warwick RFC the type of club that people want to return to.

Creating an atmosphere and culture that makes people want to be there is a high honor for any grassroots club. 

Now one of those players is preparing to swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and finish with a half marathon to help make sure the next player through that door finds even more opportunities waiting.

To give to the fundraiser, please follow this link.