Publication Date: 06-11-2025 09:00
Bellway sponsors promising young women’s rugby player at Buckingham Swans
A talented young rugby player who helped a Buckingham women’s rugby team win a cup final at Allianz Stadium Twickenham has signed a second sponsorship deal with a local housebuilder.
Bellway Northern Home Counties, which is building new homes at Moreton Fields in the town, has contributed £350 to sponsor Bella Pettit, who scored at the home of English rugby as Buckingham Swans second team beat Winscombe Ladies 33-27 to win the Papa Johns Community Cup in May.
The deal will see the developer fund the 19-year-old’s kit, pre and post-match nutrition and her annual club membership.
Bella, who lives in Northampton, played in two cup finals this year at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham and trained with the Loughborough Lightning Premiership Women’s Rugby squad. She now plays for the Buckingham Swans first team.
The teenager said: “I played for Buckingham Swans second team when we beat Winscombe in a club cup final and I scored a try. Then a month later, I was chosen to represent Buckinghamshire and we played Yorkshire in the Gill Burns Women's County Championship final but sadly lost.
“When I first started out playing rugby at the age of six, I dreamed of playing at Twickenham and scoring a try to help my team win a cup final – and I have done that. Playing there a second time a month later was amazing and I can’t wait to get back there playing again.
“It was brilliant to be able to train with the Loughborough Lightning squad too and I learned so much from the group, which included England internationals. My ambition is to play for England and with the support of people like Bellway who’s to say I won’t do that.
“Watching England women win the World Cup in September was incredible. The whole team and Ellie Kildunne in particular, are not only role models for me but for all young women by showing that you can go out there and make it happen.”
Buckingham Swans have three teams in the women’s section at Buckingham RFC which also includes a Cygnets section for girls.
Mikey Clark, head coach for Buckingham Swans, said: “We encourage all our senior players to go and engage with the local community. It helps share the success we have and allows companies like Bellway to actively support a grassroots community which has a performance team within it.
“Buckingham Swans feed into the Loughborough Lightning pathway and with the support of Bellway it allows players to have access to this developmental environment where they benefit from top-class equipment and experts such as analysts, coaches and physiotherapists. This aids the development and growth of young players like Bella and helps them to reach their maximum potential.”
Luke Southgate, Sales Director at Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “We are very proud to be sponsors of Bella for the second season in a row and of our ongoing association with Buckingham RFC.
"It is great to know that our contribution will help Bella in her career which has already proved to be incredibly exciting. To play at two cup finals at the home of English rugby by the age of 19 is quite remarkable and I’m sure Bella and her family and friends will have special memories to cherish of those occasions.
“Lots of us were swept away by the swashbuckling manner in which the England women’s rugby team won the World Cup. I think it is inspirational for young girls everywhere to see Allianz Stadium Twickenham packed with 82,000 spectators watching women’s rugby.”
Bellway is building 130 new homes at Moreton Fields. For more information about the development, call the sales team on 01280 360014 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/moreton-fields.
