Cambridge Rugby Club create history by fielding first girls' team

Under-13s take to the pitch for maiden game

History was made at Volac Park last weekend as Cambridge Rugby Club fielded its first girls’ team.

Community coaches Albert Portsmouth and Ben Penfold started coaching sessions for girls’ rugby in November, and they saw some of the rewards as the under-13s took on Peterborough on Sunday.

An under-15s team will play their first game in a couple of weeks, and there are also a number of 16 and 17 year olds at the club.

“They have had quite a lot of coaching and taken to it quite quickly,” said Portsmouth. “It was really good to see it all come together and play their first game.

“It was nice to see them all wearing the same kit and have that sense of identity and playing for the club for the first time and enjoying themselves.

“It’s a step in the right direction. There’s a real demand for it and we’re still geting 40 girls at training every weekend.

“There are still secondary schools that don’t have girls’ rugby as part of the curriculum or the sport department.

“The demand is definitely there and it will certainly keep growing. The moment there is a demand for a ladies team at Cambridge then we will set one up, but there is one at Shelford and we just thought it was important to set something up for the girls.”

He added: “It was quite a proud day, seeing how far they have come.”