A beautiful spring day on Sunday 23rd April marked a major step forward for the development of girls’ rugby in the Banbury area: Banbury RUFC fielded its first all-girls team in a match against Grove at Bodicote Park. While BRUFC has a thriving women’s team, “The Banbury Belles”, and girls regularly play in mixed teams in the excellent Minis age groups, until this year there has been no all-girls team to bridge the gap between under 11s and senior women’s rugby. So when 11 girls from Banbury took to the field on Sunday, it was, as Chris White, Committee member and Girls Team Ambassador said: "...an historic day for the club, it is the first time in the history of the club to have a girls match played here"

The Banbury team coached by Charlotte Eggleton consisted of players who have come up through the Minis teams, and some new recruits who have joined this season either as novices or from other local school teams. The opposition on the day, Grove, have had a girls’ team for some time, drawing players from Wallingford, Grove, Bicester and Gosford. So perhaps not surprisingly, the Banbury girls suffered a little in the first half against more experienced opposition. However, they rallied strongly in the second half, and despite a final score of 12-3, tries by three of the Banbury team were just reward for a spirited fightback. Both teams thoroughly enjoyed the match and it was played with great camaraderie.

Women’s rugby is one of the fastest-growing participation sports, and the establishment of a girls’ team in Banbury marks another step in its development. Grove’s Under 13's lead coach Nick McKeown and fellow coach Al Scott said: "It's great to see another club in the county offering girls' rugby, and with the organisation in-situ at Banbury plus the determination and attitude of the players I am sure that they will thrive".

So if you are a girl or woman who would like to give it a 'try' or know someone who might, details can be found on the BRUFC website, or contact Karen Wheeler on 07742 410123 or karenoneillwheeler@ymail.com

Chris Page, Banbury Girls Rugby Support Co-ordinator