From our own red roses emphatic grand slam victory in this years six nations, to the excitement of watching our lionesses fly in the world cup, right through to record breaking audiences tuning in to watch our England womens cricket team in a narrow ashes defeat.

It’s no surprise that female participation in sports is at an all time high… and nowhere displays this better than Wirral Rugby Club.

2019 has seen our already successful ladies touch rugby team go from strength to strength. Under the guidance of Brendan Bailey, the team have hit new highs, with over 40 women and girls now registered to the squad. It’s amazing to see plenty of new faces amongst the sea of ever loyal players as they get out on the pitch every Wednesday in rain or shine. The girls were an ever present force in the summer fitness bootcamp hosted by Rob O’Donell and gave the mens teams a work out during a summer of mixed matches.

In addition to our touch team, 2019 has seen the club welcome our first ever full contact womens team - Wirral Warriors - you can read all about our journey in my previous article which can be found on the clubs news section. The warriors have been training super hard twice a week ready for their first league fixture away at Bolton on the 5th October and are delighted to have welcomed plenty of new faces into maroon and white shirts this summer.

Given the success of the womens teams at Wirral, it only makes sense to grow our sport further and it is so exciting to announce the development of the first ever under 13 girls team to wear our badge. It was an absolute honour to meet the girls last week and see the excitement and enthusiasm unfold as they began to learn the sport.

As the first six girls took to the training pitch it was clear that, under the expert guidance of ex-England womens coach Steve Peters with some help from myself and the warriors, we already have a force to be reckoned with, with expert handling skills and clever running lines on display from the very beginning.

Moving forward, training will be open to all year 7/8 girls and will take place at the club from 1030-1200 every Sunday morning. All abilities, shapes, sizes and fitness levels are more than welcome, we would love to see this team grow further.

I think I can safely speak for, not just myself, but the rest of the senior womens section of the club, when I say that we all wish we had started playing sooner. Giving younger girls the chance to play is something we are all really passionate to be a part of.

Rugby changes lives, empowers women, builds friendships and encourages self belief.

I am so excited to be a part of the journey and look forward to keeping you all updated along the way.

Grace Baird
Womens XV captain.