Minchinhampton Rugby Club held a taster session for girls in the Stroud area on Sunday.
England Rugby’s Allianz Inner Warrior programme and supported by the Gloucestershire RFU, the club that prides itself on its inclusivity, felt it the right time into doubling its efforts into retaining its current female contingent, encouraging former players to return, whilst also attracting new players to the game.
In recent years Minchinhampton RFC has built a fantastic clubhouse with grounds, taken on a brilliant Director of Rugby in the form of Tom Smith and continue to grow its Youth and Touch rugby sections. With one of the largest contingents of girls within the youth section in the county, it makes sense to take that interest in girls rugby to the next level, especially when girls cannot, unfortunately, continue to play mixed-sex rugby, once they reach under12s.
With the help of Gloucester-Hartpury players Georgia Brock, Kathryn Buggy and Welsh International Kelsey Jones, new girls Head Coach Paula Hiles had the great pleasure of running a fun session of ball skills and a game of Touch rugby with thirteen happy smiling faces of various ages. The girls also had the opportunity to pick the brains of the professionals in a fun Q&A afterwards, who hopefully inspired them to continue to play.
Head Coach Paula Hiles, said: “Minchinhampton girls section got off to a fabulous start with thirteen beaming girls.
“Thanks to the Gloucester-Hartpury ladies for coming and putting the girls through their paces, it was a pleasure to be a part of. I’m really looking forward to kick-starting the new season.”
With the help that the Allianz Inner Warrior programme has given the club in whetting the appetite for girl’s rugby, Minchinhampton RFC shall be running fortnightly sessions up until August, so head on up to Minch and give rugby a try at one of their fun sessions on: Thursday 3rd June, Sunday 20th June, Wednesday 30th June, Sunday 11th July, Sunday 25th July.
For more details on the sessions please contact Thomas.nurse@yahoo.co.uk
