Marlie Packer's visit to Penn Wood

On Monday 9th March, Marlie Packer visited Penn Wood school delivering two assemblies and workshops to pupils from across the school. The England rugby star shared how hard work and determination helped her reach the top of the game. Marlie was named World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in 2023 and was also part of the winning Red Roses team in the Rugby World cup team in 2025. She told children that setbacks are normal and that resilience is important when chasing your goals. Marlie explained how she kept training and believing in herself even when things were difficult.

The pupils listened carefully and asked questions about rugby, training and staying motivated. Teachers said the talk was a powerful reminder that perseverance and of course hard work can help young people achieve their dreams