A Butleigh rugby pioneer has been honoured in Parliament after Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke tabled a motion recognising Pip Atkinson's contribution to women's rugby in England.

The Early Day Motion celebrates Atkinson's roots in Butleigh and her time at Millfield School, before a sporting journey that took her from modern pentathlon into rugby union and on to the international stage.

Dyke's motion highlights Atkinson's role in England's Red Roses squad at the 1999 Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It also recognises her later work coaching the national women's sevens team at the Hong Kong Sevens.

But Atkinson's place in rugby history goes back even further than that. The motion also marks her appearance for Great Britain in the first ever women's rugby international against France in 1986, with the 40th anniversary of that landmark match due to be marked next month at Richmond RFC.

For Butleigh and the wider area, the tribute is about more than sporting success alone. Since retiring from elite rugby, Atkinson has continued to play a part in local life by helping to establish a tag rugby club in the village and encouraging young people, especially girls, to take up the game.

Dyke said Atkinson had made an "extraordinary contribution" to women's rugby both on and off the pitch.

She said: "Pip Atkinson has made an extraordinary contribution to women's rugby, both on and off the pitch. From representing her country at the highest level to nurturing the next generation of players here in Somerset, her dedication is truly inspiring.

"This Early Day Motion is an opportunity to recognise not only her achievements in the sport, but also the lasting impact she has had in opening up rugby to more women and girls. I hope colleagues across the House will join me in celebrating Pip's legacy and her continued work in our community."

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