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Bury Club welcomes Carol Isherwood OBE to Gigg Lane

Members of our Bury Sporting Memories Club were honoured to host Carol Isherwood OBE at Gigg Lane recently for an engaging and inspiring visit that celebrated sport, community, and leadership in women’s rugby union.

Carol, a highly respected figure in elite rugby with extensive experience across the top tier of the women’s game, received a warm welcome from Club members. The visit provided a unique opportunity for our Bury members to connect with one of the sport’s most influential administrators and advocates for women’s sport.

During their time with Carol

The highlight of the visit was an interactive Q&A session, where members asked a wide range of questions about Carol’s career and her involvement in top-flight women’s rugby union. Discussions explored the growth of the women’s game, her experiences working at elite level, and the opportunities and challenges facing the sport as it continues to expand both domestically and internationally.

Members showed particular interest in Carol’s recent appointment as Chair of the British & Irish Lions Women’s rugby initiative. She shared insight into the vision behind the role, outlining ambitions to further elevate the profile of women’s rugby, strengthen pathways for emerging talent, and build a sustainable future for the women’s game at the highest level.

Carol also reflected on the increasing momentum behind women’s sport, highlighting record attendances, rising participation, and growing media coverage as key indicators of progress. She emphasised the importance of community-based initiatives—such as the Sporting Memories Club—in maintaining lifelong connections to sport and supporting wellbeing through shared experiences.

Reaction to Carol’s visit

Members spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity to engage directly with a leading figure in rugby, with many describing the session as both informative and uplifting on an entertaining afternoon.

Stefan Taylor, who helps to support the Bury Sporting Memories Club, reflected on Carol’s visit by adding: “We were delighted to welcome Carol Isherwood OBE to Gigg Lane. Her openness, passion, and insight made for a truly memorable Sporting Memories session. Opportunities like this are invaluable for our members, and it was fantastic to hear first-hand about the exciting future of women’s rugby.”

The Bury Sporting Memories Club meets at Gigg Lane, the home of Bury FC every Wednesday afternoon between 10:30am and 12pm. To find out more about joining the session, please contact Stefan via s.taylor@bury.gov.uk