We wonder what the record is for most family members on the same side in a rugby match. Let us know if you do!
Surely Okehampton’s Charlotte Ogborne and her family must be among the leading contenders. Watch video
Taking to the Allianz Stadium pitch at the weekend, for the IPF Women’s Tournament 2026, Charlotte was accompanied by her two daughters, Imogen and Phoebe, and her niece Issy Edsworthy.
“We've always been a rugby family,” says Charlotte. “My sisters and I grew up watching rugby every weekend as mum would take us to watch dad play.
“I've got two sons as well and they've always played junior rugby along with my girls. When Okehampton Rugby Club started a Ladies team, my niece Issy joined them and then my daughters also a couple of years later.
“I went along to watch and fancied a go. They were just such a welcoming group of ladies that I thought, why not, it's never too late to learn a new skill. So, I've been playing for four years now, since I was 45.”
Charlotte’s 25-year-old daughter Imogen explains how family ties run deeply through Okehampton RFC fabric, saying, “There’s a real family ethos at Okehampton Rugby Club. We've also got another mum and two daughters in the squad but, unfortunately, they couldn’t be here today as they're on holiday.
“Our grandad always played for Okehampton Rugby, so it goes back generations with him, my mum, our brothers and cousins all playing rugby.
“Okehampton is a really small town, but I think the club should be very proud of its senior and junior set-up as we strive to succeed against teams from much larger towns than us.
They certainly achieved their goal on Sunday as Okehampton went on to lift the trophy after an impressive performance against defending champions Midlands Barbarians.
The final was the culmination of a wonderful weekend of men’s and women’s rugby which raised a record £153,000 for the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF). Read more here
Okehampton players and their supporters contributed £10,000 towards that incredible total, with the club recognising the importance of looking after members of the wider rugby family as well as their own.
“It’s really important to us as a family and as a club to get behind the RFU Injured Players Foundation, who do so much fantastic work supporting players when things unfortunately don't go the way we want them to,” says Charlotte.
“Rugby is all about family involvement. You don't get to play rugby without having a family behind you, whether it's a blood family or your rugby family.
“We were determined to raise as much as we could for the IPF, so it’s been all hands to the deck. People of all ages have done all sorts of different fundraising activities, from car washes to coffee mornings, auctions to individual sponsorship.
“After the day the charity has put on for teams today, and learning more about the work they do, we will definitely keep flying the flag for the Injured Players Foundation back in Devon.”
The opportunity to play at the home of England Rugby, which is a small thank you to teams who have spent months fundraising in support of the IPF, was not lost on the Ogborne family.
“I cannot believe my luck to be here to be honest,” laughs Charlotte. “I know how many people grow up dreaming of playing here. When the chance came up to play in this amazing tournament alongside my two daughters and my niece, I just thought wow, that’s an opportunity I can’t miss.”
Daughter Imogen added, “When you’re from a small town in Devon, you really don't ever think you're going to be able to run out onto the Twickenham pitch. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Some of our team members actually started crying when we came out of the stadium and ran onto the pitch. You watch it on the television so much, so to actually get to play on the pitch where your idols have touched the grass is quite an emotional experience.”
The team didn’t let those emotions distract them from their tournament goals, however, with Issy in particular relishing the opportunity to capitalise on such a wide pitch.
“The pitch is really lovely,” she enthuses. “It’s such flat grass and the pitch is really wide which suits my game as I love running around and scoring tries!
“Today has been incredible from start to finish. I’m speechless to be honest."
Issy’s cousin Phoebe couldn’t agree more saying, “Running out of that tunnel onto the grass, was something you can't even put into words.
“It’s been an unforgettable experience and a real celebration of women’s rugby today. All teams have really supported each other, even though we all obviously want to win.”
And win Okehampton did, to round off a day that will live long in the memories of players and supporters alike.
Imogen says, “We came here today with no expectations. We just wanted to play at Twickenham, and now we've won the competition at Twickenham. It’s just huge for our family, huge for our rugby club, a massive day for us all really!”
Charlotte was a little emotional as she summed up how she felt on the final whistle, saying, “I went to pieces! I just can't believe it. It's so surreal that we come from this small town in Devon and we’ve just won a tournament at Twickenham.
“I'm going cry again! To be here, with all my family, and to have just done that, it’s just the best thing ever.”
To find out how your team can apply to take part in next year’ IPF Women’s Tournament, head to https://www.rfuipf.org.uk/get-involved-help-the-ipf/your-club-or-team
