The Fox-Smith sisters not only got a behind-the-scenes tour with three Wales Women's stars, but will also be match mascots at a Six Nations game.
Vodafone has delighted two young rugby fans from Newport – Elodie Fox-Smith, aged six, and Isla Fox-Smith, aged 12 – with a surprise meeting with three of Wales Women’s biggest rugby stars, Welsh Captain Hannah Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Alex Callender.
Elodie, Isla and parents Kirsty and Nathan thought they had been invited by Vodafone – the Founding Principal Partner of Welsh Women’s and Girls’ rugby – to the National Centre of Excellence for a tour of the state-of-the-art Welsh rugby training facility.
On the day, the sisters were surprised to find out that not only would it be the players giving them the behind-the-scenes tour, but they had also been specially selected to be mascots at the eagerly anticipated Wales v England Women’s Six Nations Match at Principality Stadium in March 2025. Giving them the once in a lifetime opportunity to walk out onto the pitch with the team at kick-off and sing the National Anthem of Wales with them.
During the surprise meeting with the players, the sisters also had the chance to trade passes with their heroes and receive some top training tips.
Elodie and Isla, who live in Newport with their Mum and Dad, have been lifelong rugby fans and are avid supporters of the Wales Women’s team. Both girls are keen players and play at Newport High School Old Boys RFC, representing Knights Girls Hub, with Elodie also playing for Newport High School Old Boys.
Newport High School Old Boys RFC was unfortunately flooded following the devasting Storm Bert, with the pitches completely submerged and flood water engulfing the club house. To help the club get back on its feet, Vodafone will also be donating funds to the club to help replace damaged kit and equipment, as well help with any repairs. In addition, Vodafone will offer mental health training sessions to club members from its mental health charity partner, Looseheadz.
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Following their visit to the training facility, the sisters’ mum, Kirsty Fox-Smith, said: “The girls have loved rugby their entire lives and today has been incredible. Visiting the training ground and the girls having the opportunity to meet their idols has been a dream come true. Vodafone and the players have been so generous, and I can’t wait to see the girls walking out as mascots at the game – it will be such a special moment for our family.”
Older sister Isla Fox-Smith said: “Today has been amazing. I’m so excited to have been chosen to be the mascot for such a big game! I love playing rugby so to get to pass a ball around with Hannah, Sisilia and Alex was such a cool experience. They gave me some great tips and advice which I can’t wait to share with all my friends back at the rugby club.”
Hannah Jones, Wales Women’s Captain added: “It is always fantastic meeting young fans and the next generation of rugby talent in Wales. We had a great afternoon with Elodie and Isla and we can’t wait to walk out with them in Cardiff during the Six Nations in 2025”.
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Notes to Editors
About Vodafone’s Women’s Rugby Partnership Portfolio
The partnerships build on Vodafone’s continued commitment to help grow women’s rugby at all levels of the game. This includes partnerships with Wales Women, Scotland Women, Gloucester Hartpury Rugby and Hartpury University and Hartpury College WRFC, the Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Teams, and Celtic Challenge teams Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder, as well as its EmpowHER programme in partnership with The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby, which works with The University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University and Durham University to help bridge the gap between university rugby and the elite women’s game.
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