Wigton Rugby Club is embracing the quiet revolution taking place in the world of rugby as more girls discover a love for the game.
It has been able to extend the reach of its teams and last year got a boost from Fibrus Broadband through its oversubscribed Play it Forward fund, which has helped dozens of grassroots sports teams in Cumbria.
Previously the juniors played in mismatched kits dating back a decade. Now they are stepping out with pride in new kits thanks to the £1,000 donation.
The England Rugby Association reports that women’s and girls’ rugby has seen an average yearly 12 per cent growth over the past decade – and this is being reflected in Wigton where numbers are on the up.
Wigton has five talented girls in its under sevens and under-10s teams, and a full women’s team with around 20-25 players – The Wigton Wildcats.
Club director Ryan Dobson believes the shift in attitudes in the game is a positive development.
“It was very much a male-dominated sport when I started,” said Ryan. “But that’s all changing. We have mixed junior teams and a Ladies Senior Team for women aged 16 plus.
“As a father of two little girls I am so encouraged by these changes. Willow and Rowan are very young, just five and six, but they already love coming to the club to see their daddy play – and if they want to give rugby a go one day, I’m all for it. Rowan can already catch, so I have high hopes for her.
“It’s great when a company like Fibrus backs what we are doing. Getting new kits has really boosted the younger teams.”
The club is also at the heart of the local community offering activities including line dancing, hockey, squash, cricket, keep fit and football – not to mention the social evenings.
Connection and community are central to Fibrus’ Play it Forward Fund, which was launched in the spring of 2023 to support non-profit voluntary and community groups, charities and organisations that provide financial support to children’s sports projects in the local community.
Linda McMillan, chief people officer at Fibrus, said the purpose of the fund was to support children’s sports projects and initiatives in local communities and to encourage children to go outside, make friends and have fun.
“Investing in our local communities is not just a responsibility, but a core value at Fibrus,” she said.
“Our ‘Play It Forward’ fund demonstrates this commitment, showing our belief in the power of grassroots initiatives.
“By supporting these endeavours, we’re not only enriching lives but also strengthening our society.
Linda added: “We believe in investing in the potential of local communities, and we’re proud to play a role in empowering communities to succeed.”
The full fibre broadband company had originally set aside £30,000 for the initiative but an additional £17,000 was added to the initial pot after applications exceeded expectations in spring of 2023. The Play it Forward fund will open for applications again later this year
