For Mary Impey, Hackney RFC was never really something she set out to become deeply involved in. It started simply enough: her son began playing rugby for the club when he was 12.
That was more than two decades ago. Her son is now over 30, but Mary is still very much part of Hackney RFC — and has played an important role in helping the club grow from its early beginnings into the community-focused club it is today.
“I started, first of all, as the first aider for his team,” Mary explains. That meant following the team around wherever they went, supporting the players and becoming increasingly involved in the club.
Before long, Mary asked the coach a simple question: was there anything else she could do?
There was.
The Mary Impey Cup
The Mary Impey Cup is a relatively new competition for girls in secondary schools, aimed at the Under 12 and Under 14 age groups. It uses the T1 format of the game and is designed to give more girls the opportunity to play competitive rugby.
For Mary, that's what makes the competition so exciting.
The hope is straightforward: get more girls playing rugby and give them somewhere to continue playing.
Why girls need the opportunity to play
Mary's belief in girls' rugby goes far beyond simply increasing participation numbers.
“Rugby gives girls the opportunity to develop skills that can stay with them long after they leave the pitch. Leadership, collaboration and cooperation are all part of being in a rugby team.”
And what happens once girls start playing?
At Hackney, there are already some fantastic examples of where the game can take them.
One former Hackney player went on to represent England Under 18s — something Mary describes simply as “amazing”.
Other girls have taken very different paths. Some have continued their involvement in sport, some have gone on to university and higher education, and others have progressed into careers away from rugby.
And importantly, some are still playing.
A number of girls who came through Hackney's girls' section now play for Hackney's women's teams.
That variety is part of the value of youth rugby. There isn't one destination or one definition of success. For some players, it might mean representing their country. For others, it might mean continuing to play socially, going into coaching, making lifelong friendships, gaining confidence or simply discovering that rugby is something they love.
The important thing is having the opportunity in the first place.
Looking ahead
So, what does Mary want Hackney RFC to look like in the future?
Her vision is about more than numbers on a team sheet.
“I would like to see it become even more diverse and more representative of the community in Hackney.”
Mary wants Hackney to develop deeper relationships with local schools — not simply working with individual teams, but building stronger connections with the wider school community.
“The club isn't just somewhere people come to play rugby. It's part of the community.”
From first aider, to fundraiser, to community organiser, to coach, Mary's journey with Hackney RFC has grown alongside the club itself.
And now, through the Mary Impey Cup, her name is attached to a new generation of girls discovering what rugby can offer.
For Mary, the ambition is simple: create more opportunities, bring more people into the game, and build a club that truly reflects the community around it.
