Newbury Developing Women’s & Girls’ Game
Newbury Ladies are focused on both competing for a top two league finish and developing the women’s game as a whole.
Their new social team plays once a month catering for new players and older team mates who can’t train and play week in, week out. Now they’ve also created a development side to bridge the gap between league and social rugby, giving opportunities to everyone at the club to play competitive matches.
Coach Darran Brown says “While our main focus is on growth, we still focus on the success of all three teams on the pitch and creating an environment for players of all abilities and experience to thrive. The players are enjoying the challenge.”
None more so than Claire Kirby who celebrated being 50 by taking up the game. “Having never played before I was nervous but was welcomed with open arms by the social team and the first team players,” she says.
“Being part of the team has changed my life. When I’m training or playing in a game or on tour with my team mates I am no longer a wife and mother but a person in my own right. I feel I have reclaimed part of me which I didn’t know was missing.”
Says Roisin Winston: “I started playing rugby because I needed a sport that would increase my strength. I’ve always been conscious of my weight and I’ll never be skinny so decided to be strong instead. There’s no such thing as a weak rugby player so here I am! My Dad used to coach rugby and it’s so lovely to see how proud he is.”
Sinéad Tobin adds: “I started playing rugby as a way to meet new people after moving but also as a way to challenge myself to exercise with a chronic illness. I’m now mildly obsessed and love it!”
Nicky Gray , newly appointed Women and Girls Chair, is intent on forging a strong relationship between both sections, with women as guest coaches, curtain raisers with girls joining warm up activity and form the guard of honour for the women’s match.
“All the coaches and managers, including Niki Paton a first team player who coaches the U18 girls, are excited to see the effect this whole club ethos is having. We are targeting recruiting age group girls which will feed the women’s squads and will have a Festival of Female Rugby in March with Aylesbury travelling to us, bringing U13, U15, U18s to play alongside our 1st XV league game.”
The first woman Chair of Newbury Rugby Club Louise Goodall won recognition at the recent Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer of the Year Awards. She has played rugby since the age of 11 right up to premiership level and her two daughters play at Newbury
“I want to improve the experience of our younger players, girls in particular, and I’ve set up a committee where the girls’ and women’s sections have a joint Chair and plan together.
“With a women’s development team, we are mirroring the colts structure, where boys have the option to train with the seniors and join the men’s game at a lower level. The girls are now offered the same experience and chance to develop their skills.
“I’ve long championed rugby as a sport for girls and women and am delighted that it is now getting the attention it deserves in the public spotlight. I love the fact that it is open to anyone and that there is a level at which everyone can play while boosting both their physical and mental health.”
Whether it’s taking over the local park run in advance of hosting a Warrior Camp, or providing a Sunday roast before the women’s game, Newbury are on the ball. With more than 600 members, including a strong mini and junior section say Goodall: “There’s plenty to do in a club of this size. My greatest challenge as a volunteer is to juggle my family and business commitments while still trying to get my boots on for the occasional game”.
