Primary school girls take their first steps in rugby at Gordon League RFC
Gordon League RFC in Gloucester has launched a dedicated girls’ rugby section for primary school-aged players as part of its commitment to growing the club and making rugby more inclusive.
With a rich history of female leadership dating back to Agnes Waddy’s pioneering role in the 1880s, the club is now building its girls’ section from the ground up.
Head of Girls’ Rugby, Tom Nurse, said: “Waddy founded the club for the local community and wanted to make a difference. We’re building on that legacy by ensuring our club is inclusive, where girls feel just as welcome as boys.”
The club’s focus on expanding opportunities for girls began in October last year with a U8s schools festival, led by former Red Rose Cheryl Stennett. The success of the festival prompted the Junior Section Committee, led by Simon Jones and Alan McMahon, to expand the club’s offering for girls.
To spearhead the project, the club invited Tom Nurse to become Head of Girls’ Rugby, recognising his strong background in developing the girls’ rugby programme at Minchinhampton RFC. He joined Head Coach Laura Flint to lead the initiative.
Earlier this year, the club hosted an Allianz Inner Warrior Camp, attracting girls from Reception to Year 6. Participants engaged in games and drills led by Gloucester-Hartpury stars Rachel Lund, Sophie Tandy, and Gillian Boag.
Nurse added: “We already have some girls in our minis section, and we want to keep them engaged while also attracting new players. In the short time we’ve been going, we’ve built a strong U8s group, as well as players across several other age groups. Our goal is to retain as many of them as possible.”
To help with player retention, the club plans to introduce a mentoring scheme inspired by the charity Big Sister UK. The initiative will pair older and younger players, fostering friendships and offering support both on and off the pitch.
“Big Sister UK uses older girls to support younger girls in sport. We want to create time for all our girls to connect, so younger players can talk to the older ones about things like friendships or school challenges,” said Nurse.
“This kind of support can be so helpful for younger girls and also helps break down barriers between age groups. It encourages long-term friendships and, hopefully, future teammates.”
The club has also built strong links with Hartpury University, providing high-quality coaching for its girls’ and junior sections from students studying coaching courses.
Gordon League RFC’s commitment to fostering young talent and creating an inclusive rugby environment marks the start of an exciting journey.
With the success of their Inner Warrior Camp, they are laying the groundwork to ensure girls’ rugby continues to thrive for generations to come.
For more information on Gordon League RFC’s girls’ rugby section and upcoming events, visit their website.
