Local News

Junior Belles call up for rugby training from Sunday

04/09/2020

Girls invited to try fastest growing female sport at Rugby Club this Sunday

Across the UK rugby is the fastest growing female sport and Banbury Rugby Club’s Banbury Belles are flying the flag for North Oxfordshire. Now the call is out for more girls to find out about the game by joining the Junior Belles.

Currently the ladies easily field a full 15 adult team. Over recent years the Junior Belles have proven increasingly popular. This Sunday the juniors will be recommencing training sessions at Bodicote Park and they would love to see any girls who are interested in learning more about the game.

Dan Button is one of the coaches for the Junior Belles. He told us the girls play the same game of rugby as the boys. Dan said, “It’s all about having the opportunity to play safe and enjoyable rugby in an environment where they are comfortable.

“We’re not playing full contact rugby due to COVID-19 but are playing a hybrid of rugby called ‘Ready For Rugby’. They will get to learn about other elements of the game rather than just the big tackles.

“You don’t have to play straight away. You can have look, meet some of the girls and the coaches. You can try ball handling skills and some of the other fitness stuff that’s going on.

“We will phase in the contact elements slowly so people get used to it”.

The Junior Belles currently have a Under 13’s team which is aimed at those in school year 7. However an increasing number of Oxfordshire Clubs are looking to set up all female teams for the Under 11s and Banbury Rugby Club are also keen to do this should there be enough interest.

Any girls who would like to try out playing rugby are invited to attend from 1.30pm on Sunday. The first four trial sessions offered at no cost.

Listen to our interview with Dan Button here: