With some 30 years of experience in the game as both a player and administrator there isn’t much Barbarians committee member, and Barbarians Women’s team founder, Fiona Stockley hasn’t seen.
Even with that wealth of experience, Stockers, as she is affectionately known in the game, has been blown away and ‘emotional’ at the size, scale and impact this year’s Rugby World Cup is having.
The impact is being felt in stadiums, from those watching from home and more importantly across the sporting landscape.
The success of the tournament, on and off the field, cannot be under-estimated and for Stockley, who has been at the heart of the women’s game and founded the club’s women’s side back in 2017 this is a landmark moment.
“The tournament has surpassed all our hopes and rightly put the women’s game on the sporting map,” she said.
“Some of the statistics coming out already are just fantastic, whether that is viewing numbers on live TV, ticket sales or media coverage, it has been huge for the game and we haven’t even got to the final yet!
“Importantly the product on the pitch has been compelling, exciting and a real advert.
“The atmosphere in stadiums up and down the country has been fantastic. You have supporters of both teams as well as neutral supporters all generating an incredible atmosphere off the back of what they are watching.
“When you look at the games, the atmosphere and the impact it is having, it does make you proud and emotional.”
Stockers was the driving force behind the historical moment in Barbarians history, the creation of the Barbarians Women’s side, which first took to the field back in 2017.
The side has gone from strength to strength, carrying the club traditions and ethos with pride on and off the field.
Twelve Barbarians have featured in this World Cup and once you include coaches, 11 of the 16 sides competing have Barbarians representation, highlighting the reach the club has across the world game.
“It is incredible to see so many of our club members taking to the field and excelling in the World Cup,” she added.
“We are a very proud club, we are a rugby family and it seeing the Barbarians representation across the tournament really means a lot.
“It shows the club’s standing in the game and how relevant and important it is.
“The whole tournament so far has felt like a true celebration of the women’s game and that celebration has been reflected internally. We speak a lot about being part of a Barbarians family and that is showcased during a tournament like this when all the former match WhatsApp groups start pinging to celebrate moments in the game.”
With 11 matches played to date since that famous inception in 2017 against Munster, Stockley is looking forward to the club’s next fixture, which she hopes will be announced very soon.
“We are looking to confirm the next fixture as soon as possible and that will be exciting to build off the back of this World Cup.
“We know the support is there and we believe the Barbarian F.C values and style of play will entice fans to come along and be lifelong Barbarians supporters.
“When we select a squad for a match we always strike a balance of up and coming talent, players who have had to overcome hurdles in the game as well as celebrating the greats of the game and we are going to have a hell of a job narrowing down a squad next time around.”
Barbarian F.C representation at 2025 Rugby World Cup:
England – Natasha Hunt and May Campbell
Australia – Coach: Jo Yapp (previously coached Barbarians)
Canada – Karen Paquin
Ireland – Edel McMahon (Played in the 1st match as an uncapped player now Ire captain)
Italy – Silvia Turani
Japan – Siena Saito
New Zealand – Ruahei Demant
USA – Hope Rogers and Buluo Mattatago
Scotland – Rhona Lloyd and Helen Nelson (Caity Mattinson coached the Barbarians girls team in 2023) Coach: Bryan Eason played for Barbarians
Wales – Jasmin Butchers Joyce and Coach: Sean Lynn
France – Coach: Gayel Mignot (former Barbarian player)
Australia – Coach: Jo Yapp (previously coached Barbarians)
