On Tuesday (20th July), the girl’s rugby team had their final session and how did they mark this milestone, they took on the boys in a mixed game of tag, cooled down using super soakers and then finished the evening off with a hot dog or burger. The girls had been looking forward to this, they wanted to put everything they have learned over the last few months from their Coach, Nick West-Oram to the test and they were up for it.
The desire of the Club to have a dedicated girls’ team has been around for many years, but it was the passion of the Club’s Mini/Youth Chair, Amanda Palmer, who made it happen with support from Nick and some of the other coaches. On April 20th, a band of 15 girls who all go to different schools in Marlborough and the surrounding areas, aged between seven and twelve came together to learn to play rugby. They have not only become a team, but they have become instant friends, having fun, and learning new skills and this has brought a great deal of pleasure to the Club and especially to Amanda.
A thank you must also go out to the following age groups; from the U9s through to the U12s who came up and played touch with the girl’s team. Most of these guys have been playing rugby for several years and have a lot more experience but that did not put the girls off, it just spurred them on. What the girls possibly lacked in experience and skill they more than made up for in heart and a desire to win. The actual scores are a little shady (poor refereeing by Nick) but as far as the girls are concerned, they were the winners but in fact it is also the whole Club as this was the one thing that until now had not been possible.
Now that a start has been made for the girls, the aim is to grow and develop the teams in line with TREDS (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship) to ensure all girls develop to their full potential. If there are any girls who are interested in finding out more about playing rugby, then please email youthchair@mrfc.co.uk. Also, if you are interested in coaching or you would like to help with this journey then please get in touch. Now the girls have started, the only way they are going is forwards and we cannot wait to see what they achieve along the way.
https://marlboroughrfc.rfu.club/gallery/mrfc-girls-v-the-boys-tag
