Bognor Regis trio on pitch at Rugby World Cup finals

THREE women from Bognor Regis are playing a key role in the Rugby World Cup finals.
Bognor Regis friends Julie Gillson, Jenny Hicklin and Margaret Murphy by the iconic sculpture of a rugby line-out at Twickenham StadiumBognor Regis friends Julie Gillson, Jenny Hicklin and Margaret Murphy by the iconic sculpture of a rugby line-out at Twickenham Stadium
Bognor Regis friends Julie Gillson, Jenny Hicklin and Margaret Murphy by the iconic sculpture of a rugby line-out at Twickenham Stadium

Friends Margaret Murphy, Jenny Hicklin and Julie Gillson will be singing anthems at Twickenham Stadium on Friday and Saturday as part of the unique Games Maker Choir.

The group was established during the London 2012 Olympics and is still going from strength to strength.

“It’s a true Olympic legacy,” said Margaret.

The Games Maker Choir on the pitch at Twickenham for the South Africa v Wales quarter final match on October 17The Games Maker Choir on the pitch at Twickenham for the South Africa v Wales quarter final match on October 17
The Games Maker Choir on the pitch at Twickenham for the South Africa v Wales quarter final match on October 17
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“The ladies travel together each month and join choir friends from all over the country in Clapham, South London, to rehearse, in readiness to perform at huge international sporting events, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which culminates in the final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.”

The Bognor Regis friends are all very enthusiastic about the choir.

Jenny said: “One of the skills of the Games Maker Choir is learning many different anthems from all over the world, in their own tongue, to be word and pitch perfect.

“Samoan, South African, Fiji, New Zealand, Welsh, plus Belgian, Dutch and German for the recent EuroHockey tournament, are just a few of the many anthems we have learned.

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“Our repertoire also includes modern music and operatic style, we are a truly professional choir. Standing in the middle of the Twickenham pitch for the quarter final of South Africa v Wales on October 17, surrounded by fireworks, the rugby players, 80,000 fans and a TV audience from around the world was rather exclusive and memorable.

“The excitement probably showed on our faces as we stood by the famous statue outside the stadium before the match.”

As well as singing, many of the choir continue to spend time volunteering at sports events.

Margaret was among the 6,000 volunteers, known as The Pack, for the Rugby World Cup.

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She said: “I was lucky enough to be chosen to welcome the USA rugby team in the ward room of HMS Victory in Portsmouth at one of the official team welcome ceremonies, and then helped welcome thousands of spectators to the Brighton Community Stadium in September at the matches which kicked off the global tournament.

“So the Olympic adventure continues in ways we could never have imagined.”