Girls rugby proves a hit for Telford Hornets

The club's women and girls' teams have been celebrating 'Of Women in Sport' week with a number of events.

The female teams have been running for just over a year and have around 15 players of various age groups and ability levels training weekly.

Women's rugby is on a roll following England women's World Cup glory and the extra exposure from the inclusion of sevens in the Rio Olympics.

Numbers have escalated since the Games, to the pleasure of Telford women's lead coach John Everton

"It's an exciting time to be involved with women's rugby, following on from the Olympics and with England Ladies' recent successes with them now looking to retain the World Cup next year and the upcoming autumn international series," he said.

England Ladies will prepare by facing some of the world's best teams next month in the form of France, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.

Iain Mason, a supporting coach in the Telford girls squads, also cited the Olympics.

"Many of the girls, especially the younger ones, seem to take inspiration from those in the professional game," he said. "It's helping kids express themselves with confidence through sport, not just women's rugby."

But it's a step by step process. "Training throughout the week focuses on advancing their core skills, such as improving their technical ability in passing and tackling as well as consistently improving their fitness levels," added Mason.

"By not solely focusing on games they are allowed to develop their attributes in all areas, meaning they are more flexible in the future to specialise in different roles."

With three under-15s players – Eleanor Beech, Faye Mason and Sophie Marshall – recently selected to play for the North Midlands, Mason suggested: "We must be doing the right thing as our girls are already being spotted at younger ages. It has a hugely positive effect on the club as a whole."

Recently, the Hornets' Under-13 and Under-15 sides combined to face their opposite numbers from Oswestry.

The encounter produced a highly competitive game which Oswestry shaded by eight tries to seven.

Afterwards, both teams had a chance to pose next to the Six Nations and Triple Crown trophies, brought to the county thanks to Shropshire's community coach Tim Pickard.

The youngsters then watched the Telford Hornets first team run out winners in their league game against Eccleshall.

And they have a big date on the horizon when the girls play Sutton and Epsom before going down to Twickenham to watch England Ladies.

Telford and Oswestry have also joined forces to put out an Under-15 side against a very strong and well-drilled Cheshire Sirens team whose greater experience saw them run out comfortable winners.

Oswestry coach Rob Kershaw said: "That was a real baptism of fire.

"Most of the Cheshire Sirens play at representative level and for a number of the Oswestry and Telford girls this was their first experience of 15-a-side rugby on a full-size pitch. It was an incredibly brave and gutsy performance by all of the girls and bodes well for the future of girls rugby in Shropshire."

The club finished 'Of Women in Sport' week with a Pitch Up and Play event which saw 60 girls from across the Midlands take part in an afternoon of training and games.

"The Pitch Up and Play events are a great way to introduce girls wishing to start playing rugby, as well as giving extra coaching and game time to some of the more experienced players," said Telford girls lead coach James Hudson. "It is also a lot of fun."

Team manager Sara McGuire added: "With girls' rugby very much in the development stages, these events are a great way to network with girls' teams across the Midlands so that they can get as many girls playing as possible."

Hornets' training sessions take place on Thursday nights, from 7.30-9pm.

Oswestry field girls' teams from Under-13 to Under-18 level and train on Mondays from 6.30pm.