Edinburgh Rugby to celebrate grassroots heroes as Lismore’s Kim James leads Celtic Challenge ball delivery

“The community kept me going. We are a family, and these situations really highlight how we show up for each other.”

Those are the words of Kim James, a woman whose journey through the ranks of Lismore RFC is defined by much more than just points on a scoreboard.

This Saturday, when Edinburgh Rugby Women on the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge at Hive Stadium, Kim will become the first grassroots hero to deliver the match ball as part of a new club initiative.

Edinburgh Rugby is proud to announce that throughout this season’s Celtic Challenge fixtures, the club will spotlight local club heroes and champions of women’s rugby.

These individuals embody the spirit of the sport, and there is no one more fitting to kick off this tribute than Kim James.

Her story is one of incredible bravery; not only in the face of a physical game but in a life-altering battle for her health.

Kim’s rugby journey began in 2017 after moving to Edinburgh from Bristol. Having never picked up a rugby ball, she was recruited into the ‘wonderful world of rugby’ at a Lismore social event.

With her husband’s family deeply rooted in the club – his father serves as President – Kim quickly found her home.

Starting as a total beginner, Kim’s natural leadership saw her rise to Captain in 2022 and eventually Club Captain in 2023. Most recently, she stepped into a coaching role, guiding the team to a historic second-place league finish this season.

Kim’s resilience was put to the ultimate test in 2019 when, at just 26 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was 26 with no family history at all, so it came as a total shock and was absolutely heartbreaking,” Kim reflects.

“I ended up having six rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, including a mastectomy. It was so hard, especially during the pandemic where we were so isolated.”

Despite the isolation of the global lockdowns, Kim found her lifeline in her ‘rugby family’ at Lismore.

The support of her teammates proved vital when the cancer returned in 2025. Following a second successful battle involving surgery and radiotherapy, Kim has been all-clear since January 2025.

She now uses her platform to urge others: “Please do not ignore any worries you have about your health. Get checked. Making that appointment can be daunting, but the outcome could have been so different for me if I’d ignored the signs.”

Even at her lowest points, Kim’s focus remained on returning to the pitch. She worked closely with her medical team to ensure she could continue playing safely, eventually finding a “renewed love for the game” through coaching as she takes a half-step back from the physical toll of playing.

“I would never stop being part of the club that gave me the joy of rugby,” says Kim. “That’s the brilliant thing about grassroots rugby; there’s a place for everyone.”

As Lismore Ladies celebrate their 30th season, Kim’s appearance at Hive Stadium this Saturday represents the legacy of women’s rugby in the capital

“Lismore is wonderful. We are not a huge club, but every person who contributes is so valued. I’m so delighted to deliver the match ball, and I am so incredibly proud of how far women’s rugby has come.”