'We're very grateful for this opportunity'

RUGBY CLUB WINS FUNDING FOR FIRST PITCH DEDICATED SOLELY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS TO PLAY ON

- By ABIGAIL NICHOLSON

A RUGBY club is celebrating after being awarded funding to create what is believed to be the country's first pitch dedicated solely for women and girls.

Redcar Rugby Club is now planning to create a new pitch and changing facilities for women and girls following a huge growth of female participation in the club.

It all started after one girl, Charlotte, now 15, became frustrated in 2021 that she could no longer play when she became too old for mixed rugby. Undeterred she approached her dad, Paul known as 'Jonno' who started the girls' section.

The club, in Green Lane, Redcar, now has four teams and more than 90 women and girls from ages 11 and upwards. This is also the first year two girls at the club have been picked to play for Yorkshire County.

Now the women's club is actively participating in official Rugby Football Union (RFU) efforts to grow the game as part of the Women's World Cup which starts next month, with the opening ceremony taking place in Sunderland on Friday, August 22.