Lionesses of Bournemouth Rugby

Lionesses of Bournemouth Rugbyhttp://bournemouthrfc.rfu.club:80/girls-rugby-progam<img class="img-responsive alt=" src="/Media/bournemouthrfc/Page%20Images%20and%20documents/BRFC-Girls%20Flyer%202017%202%20(1).jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> The 2016/17 season saw Bournemouth Rugby launch its girls rugby programme. We already had girls playing rugby with their male team mates at Under 6,7,8,9’s age groups. Bournemouth Rugby and Rippa Rugby through its schools and holiday programmes are actively recruiting both girls and boys into these and U10 age groups. Under 12 girls' participation   Girls aged Under 12 can participate in mixed mini rugby, played within the RFU Continuum. England international Danielle Waterman started playing rugby with her brother at Minehead Barbarians and has now gone on to win more than 50 caps with England. Girls' age bands The U13 girls’ age band is permitted to include U11s, U12s and U13s girls. The U15 girls’ age band includes U14s and U15s and the U18 girls’ age band is for U16s, U17s and U18s. When there are not enough girls at one club to make up a team, clubs can group together to form one team in a cluster. Many areas now have club clusters, where clubs join up for matches. This ensures girls have the opportunity to play regular competitive matches. Almost all counties have girls’ teams and have trials that are open to anyone. County players are nominated to trial for the RFU Women’s Divisional Programme. Talented players are identified and U15s and U18s are invited into Talent Development Groups. Successful players will have the opportunity to play for the England U20s. One player who can speak from experience is England international Fran Matthews. Fran was playing for her club and Surrey as a teenager. She was spotted as a talented player and was subsequently invited to an elite summer camp at Loughborough University. Fran is now playing Premiership rugby for Richmond and striving for further success with England. Bournemouth Rugby are building up a strong squad of 11,12 and 13 year old girls who can play within U13 combined age group. We have have successfully recruited a squad of 15 girls but are seeking more girls to join. We are also seeking more girls to join the combined Under14/15 and Under 16,17,18 age group.    Community Partnership Bournemouth Rugby and Rippa Rugby have developed a strong community partnership with The Bourne Academy who through the RFU are developing girls rugby within their schools. The Community Rugby Apprentices will be supporting the RFU and teaching staff in this development. We will also be actively recruiting girls to join Bournemouth Rugby Girls Teams. For more information about community partnerships, please contact Stuart Gallacher (Community Rugby Development Manager) at <a href="mailto:onstuart@ripparugby.co.uk" onclick="return rcmail.command('compose','onstuart@ripparugby.co.uk',this)">stuart@ripparugby.co.uk</a> Want to join If you wish to join our strong developing girls section, you can contact Lead Coach Paige Darvill-white at <a href="mailto:paige.darvill-white@hotmail.co.uk" onclick="return rcmail.command('compose','paige.darvill-white@hotmail.co.uk',this)">paige.darvill-white@hotmail.co.uk</a> or Team Manager Wayne O’Brien at <a href="mailto:wayne.obrien@bournemouth-rugby.co" onclick="return rcmail.command('compose','wayne.obrien@bournemouth-rugby.co',this)">wayne.obrien@bournemouth-rugby.co,.uk</a>. Alternatively, you can just turn up at the club on a Sunday morning to have a go. All that is required is a gum shield and rugby boots. The first few sessions are free then we ask that you purchase a membership. We are also on the lookout for volunteer coaches to assist Paige in developing the girls teams. Commitment for assisting coaches would be for Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the season.   Girls Sponsorship Bournemouth Girls are looking for businesses and/or individuals who are willing and able to support Bournemouth Girls. They are a new up and coming team who will be playing games across Dorset and further afield when the opportunity presents. If you are interested in sponsoring the Girls team please contact us at Bournemouth Rugby to discuss the opportunities available. We will be at various events and schools throughout the year to promote girls rugby.