Just over two years ago, Alton Rugby Football Club (RFC) Coach, Kathleen Digby, took it upon herself to deliver a vision of revitalising Girls & Ladies rugby in the area. Every Tuesday night (and at other points in the week), whatever the weather, Anstey Park now hosts large and increasing numbers of girls and ladies experiencing the delights of training for and playing rugby.

Last Sunday saw a fantastic culmination of all the effort that Kathleen and her girls (and ladies) have put in as they played host to over 120 girls at Alton’s first Girls’ Rugby Tournament in Anstey Park. Teams from Winchester, Havant, Petersfield, Farnham, Ellingham & RIngwood, Readingensians, Bracknell, Newbury and Camberley joined Alton RFC’s U13 and U15 girls’ squads in what turned out to be a wonderful afternoon of rugby. In all, there were U10s, U11s, U13s, U15s and U18s age groups represented across the 11 clubs.

A first for Alton RFC was being able to field a complete 15 a-side team for the U15s girls age group. The girls played a full match against a more experienced Havant team and came out successful winning 24 – 12. A great achievement for such a new team. There were also a number of other firsts on the day, with the U18s playing Xrugby sevens for the first time and the under 10s and 11s having their first chance to try scrummaging, under the guidance of a great team of experienced coaches.

Kathleen Digby, the Alton RFC Ladies and Girls Coach, who organised the event, said “It was brilliant to see so many girls playing rugby and having such a great time. I’d like to thank all the coaches & parents, and the many Alton RFC volunteers serving sustaining food and drinks, who made it possible. We hope that, with their help, this will be the first of many successful events promoting girls’ rugby.”

If you’d like to try Girls or Ladies rugby, just head down to Anstey Park any Tuesday evening to find out more or visit the Alton RFC website www.altonrfc.club for more details. Absolute beginners absolutely welcome!! It’s a great way to get and stay fit - and meet new friends.