Abbie Ward is leaning into Bristol Bears' mantra of 'inspiring communities' ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
Ward was just one of the club's stars present for the re-naming of Bristol's main train station from 'Bristol Temple Meads' to 'Bristol Temple Maul', in an activation set to draw people's attention to the World Cup.
Reminiscent of the Red Roses own driving maul strength, the name change aims to bring intrigue and buzz to the city that is set to host two quarter finals and both semi-final matches in the tournament next year.
Ashton Gate Stadium will be front and centre for four knockout games and Ward is ready to bring Bristol Bears into the spotlight on a regular basis in the lead up, building on their current Premiership Women's Rugby success and international names to inspire a new wave of rugby fans in the area.
"With how Bristol have been performing in the PWR this year and last year and the Six Nations, let's roll that on and build towards the World Cup.
"Bristol's mission statement is to inspire the community though rugby success and that's what we live and breathe.
"We've created something really special, giving players the opportunity to become international stars and build towards a home Rugby World Cup which is something many people never achieve.
"To think that we could potentially be walking through the doors of Ashton Gate in a World Cup semi-final is something we'll forever remember."
Since going on sale in October, over 130,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament via pre-sale, on track to match World Rugby's ambitions of the biggest celebration of women's rugby there has ever been.
Councillor Heather Mack, Deputy Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
"Bristol is proud to be hosting two quarter-finals and both semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. It is a brilliant opportunity to have some of the world’s best athletes in our city and show them the warm welcome of a Bristol crowd. We hope these games encourage women of all ages in Bristol to find a rugby club or trial session and have a go themselves. Let’s inspire some home-grown talent."
"There's a great rugby hive here in Bristol but what we're trying to do is really bring in some new fans and generate a much wider audience," she said.
"By renaming the station and bringing Maggie [Alphonsi] and Abbie [Ward] down here, it just creates a little bit of excitement and is a creative and innovative idea that can attract some new fans.
"With so many different nations playing across the cities, it gives the public a great opportunity to get behind the game.
"We're really hoping that the nation gets behind the home team and it's a really big driver in terms of the excitement and awareness that women and girls are having for rugby in the UK.
"They see the Red Roses and see the incredible stories they have to tell and so want to watch them."
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