Ryton Raising Rugby Playing Daughters
Ryton RFC, a village club in Tyne and Wear, has been serving the local community since 1880 and when it comes to offering opportunities for all to play rugby and to develop to a high level they are at the top of their game.
Six years ago coaches started a women and girls section consisting of four 11-year-olds, which has since developed into a thriving and valuable part of the club. Ryton have now produced a full women’s squad and girls’ teams at U13, U15 and U18 in a short period of time.
Ryton U13s have been unbeaten in three years and determination has seen 29 Ryton girls represent Durham and Northumberland counties at U15 and U18 level. A further 11 were snapped up at Durham Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Centre of excellence of which seven have been selected for England North Talent and Development trials.
Second row Hannah Rollingson, Number 8 Lucy Capenhurst, openside Niamh Swales, blindside Millie Swinburn, scrum half Anna Scott and winger April Ishida have all been invited to trial at North TDG level. April Ishida, Lucy Capenhurst, Niamh Swales and Beyonce Fowler progressed to the full U18 training squad and April and Beyonce have recently been selected to be part of the England under 20s set up.
Three players who honed their skills in the club’s girls’ teams have already gone on to join Allianz Premier 15s teams. Second row and lineout specialist, Kate Smith, now plays for Durham Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, and has been joined by speedster April Ishida, while former Ryton forward Beyonce Fowler, is currently showcasing her talents at Loughborough Lightning.
Girls did the recruiting
These are no mean achievements for a village club which started a women and girls section only a few years ago. Fortunately, those original girls were keen competitors not just on the field but in recruiting friends to come and play. The girls section motto is “Rugby with a Smile” and the players who’ve progressed from U13s to U18s are still smiling.
There’s a great atmosphere, recently retired Robin Scott, their U18s lead coach, is part of a coaching team of four. Robin’s retirement is hardly one where he has put his feet up, he’s also club First XV coach and coaches Northumbria University women’s team.
Robin thinks the success of this emerging girls’ section comes from “A combination of a good set up with lots of experienced coaches, some of their daughters among our earliest players; great club support, the rugby with a smile approach, with enjoyment as important as improvement; teamwork and friendship and a big emphasis on tours. In the past three years we’ve toured to Derbyshire, Scotland and the Lake District. It also helped that we have been blessed with a large number of very talented girls.
Healthy bank balance
“The other big ingredient is that parents across the teams are hugely supportive, sponsoring the girls and driving and supporting them all over the North of England. The girls themselves are fantastic and although now spread around the country stay in touch and socialise regularly. I think we have the healthiest bank balance in the club. We’ve had lots of support and sponsorship from within the club and local business have dug deep to support us including Hamilton Commissioning, Pathway Lighting and EAG group. The players do so much fundraising, washing cars, supermarket packing and bag carrying, Christmas and Easter raffles. The last time we went away for three days it only cost £50 a player because the players had raised a lot of funds.
“We recruit from two or three local schools and keep players on board by making sure we are welcoming and the rugby is enjoyable. The girls themselves are our best ambassadors and recruiters. As we became a better, more competitive team we also attracted more players from further afield. We grew our pathway with our numbers and started the women’s team about two years ago and cant wait for them to begin League rugby next season..
“We stayed in touch through lockdowns and hope to see most girls back at training, although as in all clubs A Levels have a temporary impact on numbers. As for the summer, we’ll be guided by what the girls want. If they want summer training, the coaches will provide it.
