Cumbria Rugby Union

Over the past 3 weeks, girls in the County have been given the opportunity to play rugby for their schools at both U15 and U13 levels. There have been 2 festivals held, which have featured 7 different schools, meaning over 100 girls in the county were able to experience playing rugby.

The U15 festival originally organised at Kirkby Lonsdale had to be moved due to waterlogged pitches. This meant that the excellent RFU Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) at Penrith was called into action. The festival did reduce the amount of teams entered from 6 down to 3 due to travel arrangements, however QEGS Penrith, Ullswater Community College and Appleby School were able to attend and gave nearly 40 girls the opportunity to play rugby.

The festival was played with a mixed format where rules were adapted game by game to allow the girls to confidently make progress. the 1st round of games were played using a grab tackle and each round the game was developed. By the last round of games the girls had been able to experience tackling, kicking and basic scrummaging.

The U13's festival entertained 5 schools with 3 attending their 1st ever girls rugby festival (Kirkbie Kendal, Lakes school and Richard Rose Central) and regular attenders to girls events Keswick and Appleby GS also featuring. The festival was run with a multiple format, with some schools being very new to rugby they began with touch rugby, progressing to a grab tackle game. Some of the other schools were able to progress from a grab tackle to full tackle game too.

Both festivals were played in very good spirit and with the development of the girls game in mind. A huge thanks must go out to 2 of the counties young volunteers, Katie Edgar and Toby Johnson who supported the running of the days.

Thanks to all involved and if you are looking to kick-start girls activity at your school, please contact your local Community Coach.