As it is Mother’s Day let’s hear from the proud mum of one of Scotland’s most exciting rugby talents.
Emma Orr made her Scotland women’s debut aged just 18 in Cardiff against Wales in the Six Nations and the centre has become a mainstay of the team since in the number 13 jersey.
The Biggar product was also part of the Scotland Sevens squad that played in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and now turns out for Bristol Bears down south in the PWR.
She is still just 21 and has a bright future ahead, so let’s hear from her mum Mara…
“As the youngest of four siblings, Emma was always running to keep up and fighting her corner,” Mara said.
“She had a steely determination from a young age and she had an answer for everything in a measured way and that has served her well moving forwards.
“I don’t remember exactly when Emma decided to play rugby, but she was very familiar with Biggar rugby club and being at the pitch side watching her brothers and sister playing.
“She played from around P4 to P7 in a mixed team then stopped when she started high school. She returned to rugby around second year when Biggar High School were producing a girls school team alongside Biggar rugby club.
“She had seen her older sister Alison gain success at Murrayfield in the under-15s girls Cup and I think this let her see what was possible and things went from there.
“There was usually no other option than rugby at home with the four siblings playing rugby in granny’s garden and then building their own posts for kicking!
“When Emma is playing rugby she is very focused and conscientious. She is a writer of lists and a lover of routine so it’s a complete contrast for her to come home to the family farm.
“Emma is a real country girl when she is away from rugby, she just enjoys mucking in on the farm and has her own small flock of sheep. It is her way of relaxing and switching off and I think that has kept her grounded especially when her older brother tells her to jump in a tractor and go and harrow a field!
“There is no special treatment at home, but when we are in ‘full on’ lambing season especially it gives the family such a buzz and a lift watching Emma and the whole Scotland squad playing.”
Having impressed as a teen at Biggar, Scotland Sevens then came calling for Emma and the skills used in the abbreviated form of the game helped her transition from a 10/15 to a 13 in the 15-a-side game.
As often in sport, things can snowball very quickly and suddenly Emma was playing in the Six Nations three years ago and is currently starring in this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
“Unfortunately we were not at the game in Wales when she got her first cap as it was lambing time and we could not get away and her call up came quite late on,” Mara, who runs the family farm near Biggar with husband James and their children, explained.
“We all watched on TV at home wishing we could be there and it was exciting, nerve wracking and everything in between – we all just wanted her to do well.
“I think her first play in the game was a tackle on Jasmine Joyce when she managed to win a penalty and that relaxed us all.
“The whole family did then manage to see her cap presentation at Scotstoun when Scotland played France soon after and that was a proud moment for us all.
“I’m always nervous watching Emma play, it’s hard to be fully immersed in the game as I find myself looking for the 13 jersey.
“But that is always the same feeling whether I’m watching Robbie at Ayr, Alison at Biggar or when Jamie played at Biggar. I am very proud of all of their achievements on the rugby pitch and of the young adults they have become.
“This season Emma has really thrived down in Bristol. She has been in in a house with Scotland team mates Meryl Smith, Evie Gallagher and Elliann Clark and they support each other so much. They were driving her to a Cardiff hospital and back numerous times when she was injured for example and that was a relief for me knowing they were all helping her out when she couldn’t drive.
“This is going to be a busy year for the Scotland women’s team with the Six Nations then the build up to essentially a home World Cup in England.
“It’s exciting to follow Scotland, watch the team progress and also see the number of good young players coming through from the Celtic Challenge.
As a parent you are invested in the whole team and just want to see them play exciting rugby and keep progressing.
“They have got a great following now and I love seeing all the players mixing with the crowd, getting selfies and signing shirts.
“Seeing Emma thriving and doing something she loves is special for us as a family.”
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Emma Orr and family are pictured at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 in Birmingham
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk