Former Wales star Beth Hawke helps team claim victory in charity tournament

By Tom Masters

A former Wales rugby star helped her team soar to victory in a trailblazing annual tournament to raise money for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Beth Hawke, a 35-year-old police officer and former Welsh international, is an avid member and supporter of UK charity Wooden Spoon and played for Wales at their Vets Fest 22 event this weekend.

The tournament, held at Birmingham’s Moseley Rugby Football Club, celebrated its second year and featured over 700 players from 16 men’s and 10 women’s Vets teams across the country.

And with rugby playing such an important role in her own life, Hawke was delighted to give back to the community on a day when her team reigned supreme in the Midlands.

Bridgend’s Hawke, who was greeted by HRH, The Princess Royal and on a day of rugby celebration, said: “It’s massive, and it’s so good to see so many people here and playing in the spirit of the game.

“Everybody chipped in, everybody is buying raffle tickets, it’s been fantastic and Wooden Spoon do such amazing work in the community.

“We’ve seen it first hand in South Wales, so really, really proud and privileged to be a part of it.”

Since 1983, Wooden Spoon have funded more than 1,300 projects, across the UK and Ireland, totalling over £29 million.

The winning teams won the Olly Stephens and Maddy Lawrence Memorial Cups to commemorate the lives of two young rugby players.

And Hawke was proud to honour their memory and continue their legacy as part of the charity.

She said: “It’s massively special, I’m actually alumni from University of West of England (UWE) as well so there is even more emotion for me going into it.

“So we carried that all the way to the end and managed to win the final for Maddy.”

Hawke competed against fellow Vets throughout the day and was greeted by HRH, The Princess Royal, who attended an afternoon reception to meet people involved in the event and watch some of the games.

She added: “It’s been awesome, it’s been great to have friends back that we haven’t seen for years and years and years.

“It’s been really fun and I’ve had a great time at the rugby - I think we’ll have some sore bodies tomorrow, but it’s good fun.

“I definitely never thought I would be wearing a Wales shirt ever again, it’s a full house for me now, all the age groups, seniors and vets, so happy days, it’s been amazing.”

Register for next year’s Vets Fest event at: https://woodenspoon.org.uk/wooden-spoon-vets-fest-2023/