There is just something special about a sibling double act in Sport, whether that be the Murray brothers bringing home the Davis Cup for Great Britain or the Klitschko brothers conquering all in the boxing ring for the past decade and who cannot forget the magic of watching Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee battle one another for Triathlon Gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
Rugby has its own fair share of sporting siblings just in this country alone, take the Vunipola brothers or the Youngs brothers for instance and it becomes a treasured commodity. To witness the ability of a family to come together over the love of a sport and see two individuals push each other right to the very top is remarkable and very commendable.
I am positive that if you asked any of the siblings I have mentioned above, they will tell you the enormity of the impact made on them by there siblings.
Now Lancashire has its very own up-and-coming family twosome; Emily and Jack Wilson. Both have at the same time progressed from Littleborough’s junior teams to play for the county and what is even more fascinating is the fact that they both play loosehead prop. It is not often you find this kind of family.
Father Richard Wilson has been playing senior rugby for decades and his offspring as most young children do, followed their dad home and away intrigued at the game they now love.
Jack (16) started his rugby career at Littleborough RUFC back in 2005 at the tender age of 5. He worked his way through Tag Rugby into full contact and is now showing promise for the future at a very good standard. Over the years Jack has won various trophies’ including Most Improved, Coaches Player and Junior Clubman with Littleborough and this summer he will be off to play rugby in Australia with his school team Crossley Heath.
His father Richard said about Jack: “Me and Jill were looking for an outlet for a boisterous young lad and rugby seemed the place to go and I am so glad we did.”
Emily a year younger at 15 wasn't far behind, she watched her brother with enthusiasm and it was only a matter of time until she was on the pitch showing a little girl power amongst the lads. Having to put up with an “annoying big brother” gave Emily an edge that some of the opposition were not ready for! Taking on and beating boys with strength and power came all natural. Emily played from the age of 6 until 12 years old in mixed teams at Littleborough winning accolades similar to her older counterpart.
At one time it was looking like she may have to travel away from her beloved club to find girls only rugby from under 15 onwards. Not so,,, Emily and her playing partner Georgia Turner along with Clair Carson (Manager) started a girls under 15 team with massive success and Littleborough now have 3 girl only teams 13's 15's and 18's giving the club a new lease of life.
Between the two of them, they have accumulated 13 appearances for the county and set an unprecedented record of being the first brother/sister to play in the same position for Lancashire. After standing out amongst her peers at Lancashire, Emily had been touted for North of England junior women’s team but unfortunately missed the cut.
Jack meanwhile continues to produce for Lancashire with a strong possibility that he will also be involved with the North of England junior side come the time he moves to the next age grade.