Girls Youth Rugby Update

The club now enters its next exciting phase in the development of its Girls Rugby Programme. The Community Department and some PWR Players (led by USA International Player and Captain, Kate Zackary) are now hosting regular Get In The Game introductory sessions on alternate weeks on Monday’s and Friday’s. There will also be a first ever Girls Only February half-term rugby camp run by the Community Department.

Both the Camps and the Monday and Friday Get In the Game sessions can be booked here: https://ealingtrailfinders.org.uk/girls-rugby/

These additional sessions nicely complement the regular Wednesday Night Girls Youth Section sessions led by Pete Far and other age group coaches Dan Sen (U11s)and Nick Piovanell (U12s) – with James Conolly and Gavin Coutts managing and administrating the Girls Youth ship. This co-ordinated Community Department/PWR/Amateur Club programme is targeted at broadening Girls Youth Rugby awareness and to grow player numbers. This will continue to build a genuine player pathway for girls to be able to continue to develop and enjoy their rugby at Ealing Trailfinders beyond the Minis section and especially immediately after Under 11’s.

Any girls in Year 6 and over who wish to try rugby please contact girlsrugby@ealingrugby.co.uk or kate.zackary@etprm.com

Under 12 Girls

On 14 January a group of 12 slightly cold and nervous Under 12 Ealing Trailfinders girls ventured to Enfield for their third competitive fixture against a combined Enfield Ignatians and Old Grammarians team – who Ealing had drawn 8-8 with previously.

In blustery conditions some robust tackling, great handling and improved playing structure was on display and as the game went into the final quarter Ealing were leading 9 tries to 8 – only to be unfortunately undone by a couple of late handling errors to finish up losing 11-9. It was a brilliant and competitive game played in great spirits and, as ever with away matches, food and drinks and match reflections were shared by the teams in the Enfield clubhouse afterwards.

Under 11/Under 10 Girls

On January 21^st a group of 27 girls gathered at the Richmond Athletic ground from Richmond, Ealing Trailfinders and Weybridge Valkyries for a joint training session then mixed friendly matches.

The session was led by one of the Richmond RFC Women’s XV players with the coaches from the other clubs running tackling, passing and rucking stations. The Ealing Under 11/10 girls then played as a team for the first time. It was great to see girls from three clubs together enjoying their rugby then squash and chips in the clubhouse after the games. Some players and parents from the three clubs are looking to meet up again ahead of the Red Roses game in April.

Our Girls Youth Section Playing numbers are growing, but we need the wider Ealing Trailfinders family help to spread the word that Ealing Trailfinders is a place where Girls can learn and enjoy playing rugby – especially beyond Minis and into the adult game. The skills development and togetherness has really progressed since coming together properly and training regularly as a Girls Youth Section from the start of the 2023/24 season. The Girls also love training adjacent to and are inspired by both the 1871 Women’s amateur team and the Trailfinders Women PWR sides.