Born and raised in Petersfield by her parents, Karen and Simon, Maddy attended Churcher’s College, where she discovered her love for sports, including rugby. Her passion for the game grew when she moved to Bristol to study at UWE, where she joined the women’s rugby team.

In the final game of UWE’s season, Maddy suffered a dislocated hip and was taken to hospital. Tragically, during her treatment, she developed sepsis. Despite her immense bravery, she sadly passed away on 29th March 2022.

Maddy was adored by her university peers and teammates, and her legacy lives on through the incredible work of her parents, who founded the charity Maddy’s Mark. The charity focuses on promoting positive mental health and well-being among girls and young women through rugby.

Since its inception, Maddy’s Mark has raised over £55,000 and collaborated with professional clubs such as Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears, and Harlequins. In just two years, the charity has funded projects that have impacted more than 2,200 young female rugby players, ensuring Maddy’s passion for the sport and her commitment to others continues to inspire the next generation of female rugby players.

Although she was from Petersfield, Maddy never had the chance to play for Petersfield RFC. As a club, we have been deeply inspired by the remarkable legacy she has left behind, particularly as we continue to grow and expand our girls’ rugby section at Penns Place.

Over the past year, we’ve proudly supported Maddy’s Mark through various fundraisers, with their logo even featuring on our 2024 Pub 7s referee shirts. This season, the charity has shown incredible generosity by sponsoring our girls’ rugby training tops. Thanks to their support, all of our young superheroes, who continue to break boundaries each week, now wear that piece of inspiration every time they represent our club.

We are honoured to stand alongside Maddy’s Mark and look forward to supporting their mission for years to come. Together, we hope to continue inspiring the next generation of girls in rugby and promoting the values Maddy held dear.

At today’s matchday lunch, we will be holding a Heads and Tails game in honour of Maddy’s birthday. We kindly ask for a minimum donation of £5 to take part in the game, which will take place after the main course. If you don’t have cash with you, don’t worry—you can
make your donation by clicking this link.