Former England Rugby Captain Gill Burns MBE Retires from Full-Contact Rugby

Former England Rugby Captain Gill Burns MBE Retires from Full-Contact Rugby at Wooden Spoon’s Vets Fest 24

Wooden Spoon Ambassador and former England rugby captain, Gill Burns, officially marked her retirement from full-contact rugby at Wooden Spoon’s Vets Fest 24.

In a fitting finale to her illustrious playing career, Gill Burns captained the Merseyside and North women’s team to victory in the Plate final last Saturday. Her team also clinched the fundraising trophy as they raised the most money for the charity.

Gill Burns, a long-standing supporter of Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, reflected on her final match, stating: “It’s been really special today. I met some lovely new mates in the Northern team, we really bonded, and everyone worked hard. It was an absolute pleasure, and the icing on the cake was winning the Plate final. When I retired from international rugby, we didn’t win the trophy I was hoping for, so this makes up for it in a little way. Wooden Spoon is a great charity, and it’s a pleasure to be here.”

Vets Fest 24, held at Old Reigatian RFC raised over £100,000 for Wooden Spoon. 16 men’s and 12 women’s veteran rugby teams gathered from across the UK and Ireland for a day of celebration, competition, and camaraderie.

The vibrant atmosphere was enhanced by amazing fancy dress costumes and creatively decorated gazebos, with all four home nations represented from over 300 rugby clubs, making it one of the largest gatherings of veteran rugby teams in the country.

Despite a week of inclement weather in the run up to Vets Fest, the event enjoyed clear skies, providing the perfect backdrop for a day filled with rugby and charitable fundraising.

The event, a cornerstone in Wooden Spoon’s annual calendar, not only celebrated the sport but also raised crucial funds to support projects such as Wooden Spoon Lancashire’s £20,000 project at Devonshire Primary Academy in Blackpool, providing early years pupils with a large covered outdoor space for activities and learning, exemplifying our commitment to transforming children’s lives in deprived areas through rugby and community support.

Among the standout moments of the day were the Kent women’s team lifting the Maddy Lawrence Memorial Cup and the Kent men’s team securing the Ollie Stephens Memorial Cup. These teams were the overall winners of the rugby and fundraising combined.

Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support: “It’s amazing to see the rugby community come together, not just for the love of the game, but to support such an important cause.

The energy today was unbelievable, and it’s a real testament to what rugby can achieve both on and off the pitch.” Webb also thanked the event’s sponsors: “A special thanks goes to our main sponsor, OMERTA, whose support made Vets Fest such a success. Their generosity enables us to continue funding life-changing projects for children and young people. Today’s event will have a lasting impact on many lives.”

Vets Fest 24 was a remarkable celebration of sport, community, and giving back. As the day drew to a close, the event’s success was evident—not only in the funds raised and awareness generated but also in the powerful sense of unity within the rugby community across the UK and Ireland