Trafford MV hope next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England will inspire more girls to get involved in the sport.
The club based in Sale already has a senior women’s side and is growing participation for younger girl age groups.
And the fact next year’s flagship tournament is in England, with matches taking place at the Salford Community Stadium near the Trafford Centre, is seen as a positive for boosting that growth locally.
The Tournament begins next August and will run through to it’s final on September 27 at Twickenham Stadium in London. Games in Manchester will feature teams from Pool A including Australia, Samoa, Scotland and Wales.
In the build-up to, and as a result of, this major event taking place there will be an upsurge in publicity for the women’s and girls’ game with a view to boosting it’s profile in schools and universities, as well as in the already adult female playing population.
Many local Rugby Union clubs will be looking for the opportunity to open their doors to a whole new generation of inspired female rugby players, including Trafford MV.
Dedicated girl squads already exist at the club in age bands 12-14, 14-16 and 16-18 years of age. However, the club is looking for local schools to give girls the opportunity to play rugby by getting touch with clubs and engaging with coaching teams to get youngsters playing.
Wilf Dooley, from Trafford MV, explained: “Girls’ rugby is often based around festivals where girls from a number of clubs get together and merge to form teams.
“Due to insufficient numbers, however, slowly but surely the numbers are getting there for clubs to field full teams of 15 girls plus substitutes.
“Girls are introduced to the game gradually so that they are confident of their skills and have the fitness, strength and knowhow to get through a game of contact rugby. Early introductions are based around Touch Rugby as skills develop.
“England Rugby’s Women’s team - the Red Roses - will be the country’s flagship team and we will be encouraging all the girls at Trafford MV to watch all the other teams play, too, and really get involved in the tournament and show their friends and relatives what girls rugby is all about.
“If you have a young girl in the family or that you know of that may be interested in trying the sport in a well-organised, family-friendly sports club then please get in touch with us at wilfdooley@virginmedia.com and we will link you up the the respective age group coaching team to take your interest forward.”
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