Emily Frances Valentine, designated the first lady of rugby and "female William Web Ellis" by the media,[4] is the earliest documented female rugby player (at the age of 10) in 1887, and provides the only confirmed record of a woman playing in the nineteenth century.[5] Prior to the discovery of Valentine, the earliest named female rugby player was Mary Eley in 1917, who at the age of sixteen played for the Cardiff Ladies.[4]
Valentine, born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland on 14 March 1878, was the youngest of six brothers and sisters, as the daughter of William John Valentine, a teacher of classics, and Grace Valentine (nee Dalton).[3][4][5] She played her first match of rugby union at the Portora Royal School, three years after her father William Valentine was named Assistant Headmaster.[5] According to her memoirs, in the winter of 1887, she removed her hat and overcoat to play alongside her two brothers (William, aged 16, and John, aged 10 or 11)[6] as their team was a man short.[3][5][7] Valentine first kicked place, but then scored a try in her first game after moving to the wing alongside her brothers in the backline.[5][7] Valentine would continue to participate with the team in practices and intra-school matches according to the school's records which also includes correspondence from Valentine in 1951.[5]
Personal life
Valentine moved to South Africa in the late 19th century.[1] She became a nurse and changed her name to Galway after marrying military doctor Major John Galeway OBE in 1909.[3][5] Valentine moved to India until about 1915[3] (and possibly Canada)[6] before settling in England.[5][8]
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