As well as being a Wales and GB international on the pitch, she also became the first chair of the Welsh Women’s Rugby Union off it and worked tirelessly to enable her sport to become established in Wales.
Born in Newport in 1964, she was playing rugby for Pontypool when she was selected to play in Wales’ groundbreaking first international against England at Pontypool Park on 5 April, 1987. England won that game 22-4 and four years later the inaugural Women’s World Cup was staged in Wales.
Margerison, who was Head of the Sixth Form at St Alban’s Roman Catholic High School in Pontypool, was part of the local organising committee for that pioneering tournament, working very closely with the English quartet of Deborah Griffin, Sue Dorrington, Alice Cooper and Mary Forsyth in ensuring the 12 nation event was a success.
“She was a pretty fearsome and fearless player on the pitch and an exceptional administrator off it,” claimed former team mate Liza Burgess, who played alongside her in that first international in 1987 and who last year was inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame.
“There are thousands of young women in Wales who have been able to play the game because of her tireless efforts. She was a giant both on and off the field and one of the most influential figureheads of all-time in Welsh women’s rugby.
“She loved the game and she was a real hard grafter as a second row. Off the pitch, she put her heart and soul into everything she did, a brilliant administrator and was never afraid to talk tough and make the hard decisions.”
After making her Wales debut in 1987, she played internationally through to 1993 and ended with a dozen caps. She missed playing in the 1991 World Cup due to illness.
A well as featuring in the first Welsh Women’s international, she also played against England in 1992 in the first women’s international to be played on the National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park, on 8 February, 1992.
When the Welsh Women’s Rugby Union was created in 1994, Margerison became the first chair and the following year saw the introduction of the Women’s Home Nations competition.
“Welsh Women’s rugby has lost a true pioneer in the loss at such a young age of Frances Margerison. She was a true leader for her sport both on and off the field and will be mourned by the whole of the Welsh rugby family,” said WRU chairman, Gareth Davies.
“Her place in the history of Welsh rugby is assured and on behalf of the WRU I’d like to pass on our sincere condolences to her family and friends.”
