Brother and sister make Carlisle Rugby Club captaincy a real family affair

by Amanda Little

Last updated at 14:49, Friday, 29 June 2012

Carlisle Rugby Club hope to solve the mystery of how to win matches – by appointing two Sherlocks as captain.

Hannah and Bobby Sherlock

But what makes the double appointment an even bigger thriller is that they’re brother and sister.

Bobby Sherlock is set to be named as Carlisle’s new first-team captain, while his sister Hannah will lead the women’s team into battle next season.

The pair followed in a family tradition by pulling on Carlisle shirts as their dad Stan was a stalwart at the club, who played prop.

Bobby, a 29-year-old flanker, has played for Carlisle since Under-nine level, before breaking into the first-team as a teenager.

His appointment as new captain is due to be rubber-stamped at the next AGM, while Hannah, 25, who plays inside centre for the women’s team, has already been confirmed as captain.

Bobby, a mortgage adviser, said: “Being captain is a great honour and I was delighted when I was asked to do it. It’s very special for the family having us both captain teams. Things are looking good for the first team next season as it looks as if we have retained all the players we had last season and we’re recruiting a few extra ones.

“Gary Hewer quickly gained the respect of players after being appointed as coach, and I think he will be fantastic as he begins an extra dimension to the club with his rugby league background.”

Hannah used to have to play with the boys until she was 11, the age when both sexes are stopped from playing in the same team.

The Carlisle fitness instructor then took up women’s rugby when she was 21, and is looking forward to captaining the team when the Northern Championship season kicks off in September.

She said: “It’s the first time a brother and sister have captained both teams. With dad being into rugby, he was really chuffed and the whole family is very proud.”

Hannah also plays hockey for Wigton, alongside her sister Kath Crozier, 26.

First published at 14:35, Friday, 29 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk