Vicky Laflin: SuperPWR weekend will have 'massive impact' on younger generation

Trailfinders Women wing Vicky Laflin believes the upcoming SuperPWR weekend can supercharge the growth of the women’s game ... writes Oliver Jervis

Laflin's side are gearing up for the visit of Bristol Bears to West London on 2 March, on a weekend that will see all four league matches broadcast live across TNT Sports, YouTube, TikTok Sports.

The weekend aims to spotlight the incredible abilities of all players across Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby, something Laflin is adamant is key to getting more eyes on the game than ever before.

"It’s massive," she said. “The more show and publicity we get out of the women’s game, the larger it will grow.

“The impact it’ll have on the grassroots teams and the younger generation is massive.

“As a team and as an individual, you want to become a role model.

“You want to be someone children can look up to and show the positives we have in the game and why we do it and why anyone can do it. All in all, it’s really exciting.”

As part of SuperPWR weekend, players are celebrating their own 'superpowers', as well as those of their teammates.

Round 8 Try of the Week is... 🥁@vickylaflin showing her pace for @TrailfindersW 🔥#PWR | @allianzuknews pic.twitter.com/0nBj8ZpMXm

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) January 17, 2024

For Laflin, there are many ways to play on the wing, and the 24-year-old highlighted the range of skills Trailfinders' impressive backline offer.

She added: “I’d say, on the pitch, I’m quite an elusive runner.

“I’m all over the place and getting involved as much as I can and trying to be as much of a nuisance as possible.

“We’ve got quite a few speedsters. People like Abby Dow, Liz Musgrove – their superpowers are definitely how quick they are.

Laflin's elusiveness has certainly stood her in good stead this season, as the wing has adjusted well to life in the capital, with her length-of-the-pitch try against Gloucester-Hartpury winning Try of the Round in January.

And the 24-year-old highlighted Trailfinders director of rugby Giselle Mather as key to her strong form this term.

“Giselle is really great," she said. “She’s lovely and aims to find out about your life as a person and what you want individually.

“She does push me to try and be my best. She’ll challenge me and ask me what more I can give and how she can help me to be better. That sort of thing has helped me to improve.”

Laflin's performances have helped Trailfinders make significant strides in their short time in Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby, after joining the league at the start of this season.

The club are currently seventh in the top-flight and have enjoyed some impressive performances during their inaugural campaign, including a 36-7 home victory over Leicester Tigers and will hope to add another to their list in front of the YouTube and TikTok Sport audiences against Bears on SuperPWR weekend.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗣𝗪𝗥 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲 🎟️

Just 18 days until a HUGE weekend of Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby gets underway 🔥

Click the link below to secure your spot at SuperPWR Weekend 👇#PWR | @allianzuknews

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 13, 2024

Laflin added: “As a team, we have definitely developed.

“Starting off as a new team has been a bit strange, but I think we’re really starting to make our place in the league, get respect, and find how we want to play.

“That also runs through to our culture and how we want to be as a team.

“Game by game, we’re definitely improving and getting better.”