Yarn art installation celebrating Women's Rugby World Cup on display at Windsor Rugby Club

A Slough-based knitting and crochet group has joined forces with teams at Windsor Rugby Club (RFC) to create a yarn art installation to celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Inspired by the England Rugby team’s love of doing crochet as a team-bonding activity, calls were made for people to join in with the Red Roses Yarn Project.

The project looks to inspire the next generation of female players and provide a legacy for this year’s tournament, being hosted in England.

As part of the initiative, Knit Your Socks Off teamed up with the Dames and Damsels teams at Windsor Rugby Club to create a yarn art installation.

The piece showcases a rugby pitch, 15 team players and three referees, alongside 50 giant roses.

The players were created by Knit Your Socks Off group members Vicky Henley, Nikki Hughes and Theresa Carter.

The roses used to decorate the pitch were made by group founder Sbba Siddique.

Rebecca Curly and her team at Windsor Rugby Club worked together to create the rugby pitch.

The artwork went on display at Windsor Rugby Club on Friday, August 22, when the Red Roses played their first game.

The display will remain in place until the final and will then be auctioned off by the players to raise funds for the Dames and Damsels teams.

As well as the installation, Knit Your Socks off has also been creating knitted and crochet rose brooches which will be sold by the club to raise money for the Damsels girls to go on tour.

Sbba Siddique said: “We were delighted to get involved with the initiative when the club came to us.

“The Rose's are an incredible team, dedicated and committed and we know they will do us proud.

“We wanted to support the project to highlight the value of knitting and crochet as a craft.

“The relaxation and mindfulness it provides, the joy a collective hobby brings and the ability to unleash your creativity all while inspiring the next generation.”

Sharon Richards, head of women at Windsor RFC, said: "We were thrilled when Knit Your Socks Off wanted to team up for this great project.

“It looks amazing and just shows what we can all do when we come together. We will be selling the rose pins to raise money for our Damsels girls to go on tour.

“Our women's and girl's teams are growing from strength to strength and anything we can do to link with the wider community to share the love of the game is a win for us.”