As well as celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March, the special event is also raising funds for local breast cancer support charity Breast Friends Northamptonshire, a vital group that promotes preventative measures and supports people undergoing treatment and aftercare in the region.

From 11am on 8 March there’ll be a variety of small businesses offering a range of products including wax melts, handmade jewellery, crafts, personalised goods, clothing and sweets. Alongside this expect cakes, face painting, tombolas and raffles and there’s also an information stand from Breast Friends Northamptonshire. The Hard Ruck Cafe will be donating 10% of its profits on the day to the charity.

At 2.30pm the inaugural Samantha Jones Ladies Invitational match takes place, with Northampton Casuals Women playing Loughborough Ladies. This match will be an annual event, and is played in tribute to Sam Jones who passed away earlier this year.

Sam was a long-standing Club Steward and a valued member of our rugby family who made an enduring mark on Casuals - and she was a huge supporter of the newly formed Women’s XV. Sam benefited directly from Breast Friends Northamptonshire’s supportive network, and forged deep friendships from the group.

Casuals women will be wearing pink socks to reflect the nominated charity colours, and a special pink match ball will be used for the occasion.

The match is kindly sponsored by CLEAN, a leading laundry company in the UK, which specialises in providing high-quality linen and workwear rental services, and which provided services for high profile sporting events. We are very grateful for their generous support of grassroots rugby and this charity match.

It’s all set to be a fantastic family day - we look forward to welcoming everyone to Casuals on Sunday 8 March from 11am - please join us and bring family and friends along!