Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce that Medway RFC are the latest club to enter into partnership to help develop a pathway with their girls programme.

Medway already have a thriving girls section, with around 100 players training across three age groups on a Tuesday night and Sunday lunchtime. Player are often named in the County, Divisional and England Talent Development Groups and the U18s are reigning County Champions.

They currently have two level 2 coaches for the U18s, one level 2 coach for the U15s and one coach for the U13 who has an old scheme level 1. Aside from these coaches, the girls section is reliant on volunteer coaches who are able to assist and help where required.

The partnership between Ealing Trailfinders and Medway will be used to develop girls rugby at the club in four key areas:

• To help further develop the coaches by providing monthly Continuous Personal Development sessions to up-skill knowledge and coaching processes.
• To help provide kit & equipment for sole use of the girls section.
• To provide bespoke S&C advice on on-pitch conditioning for female players to enhance performance and help prevent injuries.
• To invest in a pathway through new and existing partner schools for girls from the catchment area to get further education and/ or employment support through their links with the club.

Caroline Jordan, Medway Ladies Captain said, “The partnership with Ealing Trailfinders will allow our girls a pathway to playing elite rugby. It’s a really exciting opportunity for us as a club and for our young players and it will allow the players we’ve helped develop to stay involved in the club as they will be able to come back and play for us.”

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme, said, “Medway is a great club and they are already doing great things with their girls programme which has allowed their women’s team to kick on further. We’re proud to have Medway as our most recent Place of Development (POD) partner as we look to help them create a pathway for their young talent to play at an elite level.”

Medway RFC join Old Reigatian RFC and Farnham RUFC in being one of our POD partner clubs as we look to support and develop the girls game.

Ealing Trailfinders have added Old Reigatian RFC to their list of partner clubs to help develop a pathway for their girls programme.

The girls programme at the club is already thriving, with their U15s being crowned National Champions, while the U18s had three players selected in the England U18 Touch team that will play in the European Championships next month. There are over 100 players and 26 volunteer coaches who are split into four different age groups that train on a Wednesday and Sunday. Given the current success of their girls programme, the club are looking to create a senior women’s team in the near future.

The partnership will not only help develop a pathway for their players, but also will be used to help improve other areas of the club, such as:

• Investment into floodlights which will ensure quality pitch space will be able to be used by all the girls age groups at various different times on a Wednesday night.
• Further development of the coaches to help give them the tools and techniques to up-skill their players. The club have recognised there is a lack of female coaches and so there will be input from guest coaches on a regular basis and the visit of a female coach at leat twice a season.
• Bespoke S&C advice on on-pitch conditioning for female players will be provided to enhance performance and help prevent injuries.
• There will be a supply of post protectors for the club’s training pitch which will also promote the partnership.

Chairman of Old Reigatian RFC, David Forsyth said, “The size and enthusiasm of our girls section is a huge testament to the hard work of all our coaches and volunteers.

“This partnership is a massive opportunity for the club and for the girls themselves and we’re delighted to be involved and associated with Ealing Trailfinders.”

Old Reigatian girls player, Renae Baker said, “This is a really great opportunity to have a pathway into the elite women’s game and I’m really excited about what it will mean for us players and especially the younger girls at the club.”

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme, said, “Old Reigatian are a proud club that already have a very strong girls section across several age groups. We’re delighted that the club have become a partner of our Place of Development (POD) as we look to support local girls and give them a pathway for further development.”

Old Reigatian RFC join Farnham RUFC in being one of our POD partner clubs as we look to support and develop the girls game. Further partnership will be announced in the near future.

Ealing Trailfinders have entered into partnership with Farnham RUFC to help develop their girls programme.

Sam Foskett, Farnham Girls U16 Head Coach said, “With girls rugby growing so quickly across the country and at Farnham, we’re now at a point that we’ve got so many numbers that this relationship is hugely exciting for our girls.”

In addition to providing a pathway for girls wanting to develop a career in rugby, the partnership supports Farnham in a number of ways, including:

• The funding and development of a Head Coach for the girls section who will oversee coach progression, session planning and strategy for all the girls age groups at the club;
• Boosting the club’s current outreach programme that takes professionally-coached rugby to local schools and finds new recruits in return;
• Professional training of the club’s coaches and trainers to deliver warm ups and conditioning programmes specifically designed for female athletes in the club’s newly-built gym.

Tracy Parry, Farnham Girls Section Chair said, “The partnership will allow us to give further opportunities to the girls and it gives them a really great pathway and lets them know that there is a route for them to play rugby at a higher level.”

Farnham player EJ Bowdler said, “We enjoy rugby because of the fun we have and the family community we have within our club. We’re really excited by the opportunities that Ealing Trailfinders will give us and we look forward for what’s to come in the future.”

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Farnham have joined our project to support local girls rugby programmes and help grow the game. On arrival at the club I was blown away by the outstanding facilities, the enthusiasm from the girls and the support of many volunteers.

“We are really proud to have Farnham Rugby Club as a partner of our Place of Development (POD) for supporting the growth of girls rugby and giving these girls a natural pathway to continue their development. We look forward to supporting the coaches and volunteers to help further their own development and give the girls an enjoyable experience.”