There’s something quite special about seeing familiar faces step onto a bigger stage. Not just as coaches on the sidelines, but as players in their own right.
On Sunday 22 March, three of Silsden Storm’s own coaches, Jemma Dixon (Mini’s and U7 coach), Hollie Feather (Stormettes U15 coach), and Charlotte Booth (Stormettes U15 and U12 coach), pulled on the Keighley Cougars Women’s shirt and took to the field against Crosfield.
For the young players they coach week in, week out, it was a powerful reminder that the game doesn’t stop at the touchline.
The result didn’t go in the Cougars’ favour this time, but if you watched the game, you’ll know the score line doesn’t tell the full story.
What stood out was the effort. Every carry was hard-earned. Every tackle committed. Even when the momentum shifted and things got tough, there was no drop in intensity, no heads going down. Just grit, determination, and a refusal to give in.
And maybe that’s the real takeaway here.
Because these aren’t just players having a run out. These are the same people who turn up in all weather, who encourage, organise, and inspire the next generation of Silsden Storm players. To then see them embody those same values on the pitch, is inspirational.
It shows the kids what resilience actually looks like. Not just something you say after a game, but something you live by.
At Silsden Storm, we’re incredibly proud to have coaches who lead by example in every sense. Sunday might not have brought the result the Cougars wanted, but it showed exactly what kind of people are shaping our teams.
