Viva Espana

Actually attending sport, rather than just talking about it. Bit of a shock.

I must say, though, that international events, and especially team events, and particularly women's teams move me greatly. As the players came out of the tunnel for the Women's Rugby World Cup pool game between Ireland and Spain I could feel my eyes prickling with tears. Maybe I can empathise more easily with women? That may be part of it, but I think that part of the reason is that when I listened to women footballers from diverse countries (Argentina and Italy, for example) talk about their struggles to be taken seriously and their need to earn money to support their international career, I was humbled by their courage and determination.

Ireland are rated 5th in the world; Spain are still developing as an international set up really, so I wondered how it had been for these Spanish women. They run out onto a pitch in Northampton... not the size of a huge football stadium and not full and not in an iconic location, and yet this is a pinnacle and it represents so much effort and pain and training and dedication.

I was sitting behind the Spanish players' bench. When they came back from 12-0 down to draw midway through the first half, the substitutes were ecstatic.

Spain put up a brave fight, but ultimately Ireland won.

The atmosphere was lovely and I was really impressed by the federation for wanting me to attend a game and experience the event first hand and by the representative from HBS who showed me around. He was so professional as well as friendly and really generous with his time, given that he had a to-do list as long as Buji's tail.