Maids want girls of all backgrounds, shapes and sizes to join the crusade

Maidenhead Rugby’s growing girls’ section, formed barely a year ago, has ambitious plans to field teams this season at U12, U14 and U16 level and are inviting girls who have played before and also total beginners from all backgrounds to join the crusade at Braywick.

The philosophy behind their move has been backed by members of the England Red Roses squad currently preparing for the World Cup in New Zealand – the party departs shortly. Maidenhead would love to embrace girls from all different backgrounds and also in all shapes and sizes.

This is in line with the appointment as the Club’s Diversity and inclusion officer of Levi Meek, still a player at the club and who has been charged with furthering the club’s policies.

“Levi’s appointment is a great move by the Club,” says Stephen Jones, head of the girls’ section. “We already we have a fantastic group of young players who have joined us and we’d also love to see young players of not only Asian extraction given the large communities on our doorstep, but also from all different communities. We’d like to encourage everyone to give rugby a shot.

“Rugby is also, absolutely, a game for all shapes and sizes. You can come across a lot of girls who maybe thought they were too big for a range of sports but for whom rugby has been an absolute God-send.” And often they can become leaders or at least key players in the team.”

Sarah Hunter, England’s celebrated captain who will be playing in her 4th World Cup, believes that the first step to joining a new activity can be difficult. “But I suggest bringing a friend with you can help with nerves but if not, don’t worry. You will still meet plenty of great people at the sessions. Through rugby I have made friends for life. It can be daunting to try a new sport but it is worth it.”

One of the most dynamic young players around in rugby, the England flanker Sadia Kabeya, has an English/Jamaican mother and a father from The Congo. She hopes she can inspire a range of girls to take up rugby. “I really want to grow myself as a person and a rugby player and inspire people from lower levels, from school or grass-roots clubs, into the game.

England’s front rower Shaunagh Brown, says: “The growth of rugby has got to come from somewhere and it’s going to come from women and girls, and people of different skin colours.”

Maidenhead girls train every Sunday at Braywick at 10am. They would welcome anyone wishing to come for trial or to join, and have a large and social group of parents in support and coaches dedicated to help those brand new to rugby. Please write to MRFCgirlsrugby@gmail.com or randelljo_mrfc@outlook.com for details.