Girls loving first taste of rugby
Peterborough RUFC recently organised and hosted a schools’ festival for girls in their region. Around 200 girls, aged 11-18, from 17 teams and ten different schools attended and for some 80% of them this was their first taste of rugby.
On six pitches, short non-contact games were run by club volunteers and the club also provided trophies, which were awarded for both winning an age group and demonstrating the spirit of rugby. The club also provided food for players and volunteers.
In collaboration with local schools, the School Games Organisers, Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning, the event was a big success, helped by two Lightning players: Grace White and Ellen Ramsbottom presenting the awards.
Joyful atmosphere
Said Annie Coulson, England Rugby Club Developer for the Midlands: “This was a really great event with a joyful atmosphere and girls actively asking for ‘one more game’. It was a good example of what you can achieve with volunteers who’ve bought into a vision for the club.
“All six pitches were refereed by club volunteers, the club’s President and Hon Secretary were there along with several parent volunteers from the girls’ section who distributed soft drinks across the pitches, kept score and time for the games, organised the trophies and food, and generally created an exceptional event. For most schools in attendance, this was their first experience of rugby.”
Hard work worthwhile
Peterborough Girls Academy Head Coach Ian Smith said: "Peterborough Rugby Club is very much part of the community, and if we can introduce our fantastic sport to hundreds, of girls who've never had the chance to play before, then all of the hard work is worthwhile.
“We're really impressed that so many schools who don't normally embrace girls' rugby, or even rugby at all, took up the challenge to be a part of this event and really delighted that Northampton Saints' community coaches went into several of the schools to help them prepare for it. We intend to make this a regular event in future seasons."
