Leicester Tigers welcomed pupils from four secondary schools from across Leicester to take part in the club’s first ever all-girls rugby event at Welford Road earlier this month. 

Supported by Sport England, the event aimed to invite girls who are new to the game of rugby to experience it competitively as well as have fun along the way.

The girls from Loughborough High School, Judgemeadow, Kibworth and Leicester High School for Girls had all taken part in a recent rugby programme ran by Leicester Tigers rugby development officers. 

And while Leicester Tigers don’t currently have a girls’ team in place, the club sees its position in helping to increase participation by supporting local girls rugby clubs across the region. 

Sport England plays a role in working with national governing bodies and partners to grow participation levels in sport and support the talent pathway for people from all diverse backgrounds.

Chris McAuley, Leicester Tigers women and girls rugby development officer, has been leading the project in schools and clubs over the past year. 

He said: “The event’s ethos focused on an enjoyable development of rugby through the game of touch rugby. We hope that the girls are able to express themselves and focus on having fun, whilst experiencing playing at Welford Road.

“From September and the start of both the new rugby season and school terms, we will focus on expanding our delivery throughout the county, to schools that wish to take up rugby and attend events like this in the future.

If you’d like to find out how to get involved with upcoming all-girls rugby events and programmes, please contact [email protected] or call 07583 081672.