Peita’s connection with the Cregagh Red Sox goes back a long way, and being named Club Captain isn’t the only ‘first’ milestone that she shares with the club. At the age of five, she joined her brother in going along to Gibson Park to play mini rugby. At the time, she and Nikki Caughey were the first and only girls to play at the club. They both progressed through the mini system until the age of 11, when they unfortunately had to part ways with playing rugby for a few years, due to there being no female youth rugby provision.
Peita maintained her association with Malone throughout that time however, helping out with the minis, doing coaching courses and watching her brothers’ games on a Saturday. It wasn’t until she was 15 when Malone set up a youth girls’ team and she could return to playing.
After a spell away, playing for Swansea University and representing Welsh universities, Peita returned to Belfast to develop her game at Cooke and Queen’s University. She eventually came back to the club she calls home four seasons ago, and it has since gone from strength-to-strength.
Volunteering and getting involved in the running of the club, and in particular, the women’s section, is what she believes led to her being named Club Captain.
“I’ve been involved at the club for a long, long time,” she said. “Over the last few years, I’ve worked alongside the Club Executive, working on funding, grants and sponsorship. I’ve helped with the ladies’ set-up and now I’m the Head of the Ladies’ Committee.
“I think they just wanted someone who had been Malone born-and-bred. I’m glad that I can step into that role. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes at all rugby clubs – it’s the volunteers who make a rugby club and it’s nice to be rewarded for that.”
When she was offered the role, she gladly accepted, on the condition that she be treated exactly the same as her male predecessors – blazer and all! “I was asked by some of the guys if I was going to wear the blazer, and I said, “Of course I will!” If the boys wear it then I’m going to wear it!”
With regards to her ambitions for the club, Peita is keen to build upon Malone’s existing success.
“There’s a lot going on at the club. The ladies’ section has had amazing numbers; we have minis, youth girls and a whole new women’s coaching team which is fantastic. The girls’ teams are flourishing. In the men’s game, everyone is excited to get back playing rugby as soon as we can, and we’re looking forward to the incoming season. We have the Tornadoes mixed ability team back training which is brilliant. There have never been as many kids out playing mini rugby too. Things are looking really positive and we’re looking forward to a successful season.”
Peita would see both the club and herself as pioneers when it comes to women’s rugby in Ulster, and she’s been delighted with the response to her appointment.
“In our first season in the AIL, we were one of the first clubs to hold a pre-match lunch for the women’s game which was a sell-out. We were one of the first clubs to have all our youth girls’ teams set up and we’ve got two women’s teams competing. We’re one of the first clubs to have girls playing. I think it just goes to show the investment that Malone has put into the women’s game. We can provide just as valuable input as the men do, and I’m glad Malone is one of the first to recognise that. Women’s rugby is growing and it’s great to be a part of.”
“I’ve had a great response from everyone at Malone and it’s nice to be welcomed into the role with open arms.”