Gateshead RFC Ladies - Give rugby a try!
The Pitch
Problem statement
Gateshead Ladies "touch" team began in Sept 21. We now need equipment to start playing contact rugby, and to attract more players. A larger squad would help us to begin contact rugby enabling us to compete in the league; and continue with more inclusive touch rugby. Contact will help retain Under 18s, who would otherwise leave to find other teams, or give up rugby. Touch is great for those who want to start exercising, older ladies, those recovering from injury and new mums. We know there is always drop off in the summer. Taster sessions at the start of the season help existing players return and recruit new players. This will be our first summer break so are keen to retain players.
Solution
The goal is to hold taster sessions encouraging women to try rugby and to retain our existing players and u18s for contact and touch rugby. One of the exclusions to playing rugby is the cost of kit. Funding would help us provide rugby boots and kit to women from less well-off local areas. 16% of Gateshead residents live within the most deprived 10% of Lower Layer Super Output Areas in England. Our club is in a central location with easy transport links via buses and Metro. Contact rugby enabling us to compete in the league will improve the visibility of ladies rugby in Gateshead. It will enable the club to avoid talent drain of 18 year olds moving clubs to play contact.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Gateshead RFC provides successful rugby for more than 450 children and adults. We have a strong track record of success with our men's and youth teams competing in their leagues and cup completions.12 of our current men's 1st XV are home grown through our youth system! Girls rugby began in 2018 quickly growing to u13, u15 & u18 teams. The original girls are now ready to move on to adult rugby. We have a strong track record of nurturing youth talent and translating that into adult male players. We can use this experience to nurture our women’s team. The existing ladies squad is small but growing (ages 18 to 50+). Our teams are led by qualified coaches overseen by the rugby committee.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Advertising | £450 |
| Rugby training balls (x 12 @£10 each) | £120 |
| Set of 50 cones (x4 @£15 each) | £60 |
| Tag Belt Set (x2 @£31 each) | £62 |
| Tackle Bags (x2 @£100 each) | £200 |
| Gum Sheilds (x30 @£10 each) | £300 |
| Sub Suits (x8 @£65 each) | £520 |
| Tackle Shields (x4 @£50 each) | £200 |
| Training Kit contribution | £500 |
| Rugby Boots for tasters | £150 |
| Meal & info session | £150 |
| Temporary fencing | £150 |
| Water bottles | £138 |
Beneficiaries
100 people
Expected impact
Our project is to deliver rugby taster sessions to women in Gateshead and the local area. The timings coincide with the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new season to maximise the attendance. Our Club is proud to reach out to our local community and welcome those from less prosperous parts of Gateshead and the local area. The end goal is that new players join our squad either to play competitively, or to get fit and enjoy sport. Our costs have been calculated to include the cost of providing kit to those women who otherwise would not be able to join us, and a meal on the taster day. The social aspect to playing sport is important for retaining new players. We aim to improve their access to exercise and by association, physical and mental health. Our target is for the Gateshead ladies to raise a team to play contact rugby in the 2022/23 Season and for our touch team to play regularly in the local ladies touch league and local opposition.
Track record
GRFC was formed in 1998 by the merger of 2 longstanding clubs: North Durham RFC and Gateshead Fell RFC. The Clubs are proud to have had young and senior XV men who gained England and Scotland caps amongst their players. The Club has an established reputation; we have a buoyant membership and the enviable ability to field 3 senior mens teams regularly. 12 of our current mens 1st XV and half of all men’s teams are home grown through our youth system! We have a thriving youth section with teams from u6’s up to u18’s giving both boys and girls the maximum opportunity to enjoy the sport with a clear policy of developing ‘home grown’ talent to become the players of tomorrow. Our grounds allow us to run rugby activities for youngsters and adults as well the as ability to host community events and private parties for our members. The aim is to apply our successful boys and mens rugby academy format to the girls and ladies, enabling us to field teams in the 2022/23 leagues.