Hampshire RFU Celebrates Selection of the 2025 England Rugby U16 Girls PDG Squad

Hampshire RFU is proud to announce the 43 players selected for the 2025 England Rugby U16 Girls Player Development Group (PDG). Nominations were openly offered to all clubs to share with parents, and we were delighted to see nearly every girls’ section across the county engage with us. This reflects the continuing growth of the game and the strength of club support behind it.

The PDG programme offers a full season of development aligned to the RFU Girls’ Curriculum and delivered by Hampshire’s coaching team. The purpose of the programme is to develop players holistically; technically, physically, and mentally,  while opportunities remain open through mid-season reviews and assessments to ensure standards remain high.

Club Representation

Players in this year’s squad come from across Hampshire’s rugby community, including:

  • Basingstoke RFC
  • Eastleigh RFC
  • Ellingham & Ringwood RFC
  • Farnham RFC
  • Fawley RFC
  • Havant RFC
  • Petersfield RFC
  • Portsmouth RFC
  • Trojans FC
  • Alton RFC (dual registered)
  • Winchester RFC

This county-wide spread demonstrates the growing strength of the girls’ game, inspired in no small part by the ongoing success of the Red Roses.

Stefan Hargrave, Hampshire RFU Girls’ Lead, said:

“The level of commitment and athleticism this year has been outstanding. What excites us most is the potential for growth as the season progresses. With the balance of returners and new players, plus mid-season reviews, the squad will continue to be challenged, and opportunities will remain for others to step in and impress.”

Hampshire RFU looks forward to supporting the U16 Girls PDG squad through a season of development and progress, confident that the pathway will continue to raise standards and create future Red Roses.

Hampshire’s Young Leaders Inspired by Red Roses as part of Rugby World Cup 2025

The Women’s RWC inspiring the next generation.

Three of Hampshire’s young rugby leaders were given a unique opportunity this week when they attended a Red Roses training session in Brighton as part of preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2025.

Jasmine Knight, Ruby Rees-Stoner and Rosie Wragg – all young coaches and referees who are already giving back to the game – spent the day watching England’s stars up close, seeing first-hand the standards and values that underpin the world’s number one women’s rugby team. They were accompanied by the new Hampshire Girls PDG Lead Stefan Hargrave (mainly as the photographer!).

Girls Inspiring Girls

The experience was designed not only to showcase the Red Roses’ preparations but also to inspire Hampshire’s next generation of coaches and match officials as they begin assisting with the Girls Player Development Group (PDG) and county representative programmes for women and girls.

Stefan Hargrave, Girls PDG Lead for Hampshire RFU, said;
“These young women are already leaders in their own right. Watching the Red Roses has energised them for the season ahead, and they’ll now take that inspiration back into Hampshire’s PDG and county environments. It’s a brilliant example of how the Women’s Rugby World Cup is impacting the game beyond the host venues.”

Carrying the Torch Forward

For Jasmine, Ruby, and Rosie, the chance to stand just metres away from their England heroes was about more than just rugby. It was a reminder of what’s possible when hard work meets opportunity – and a spark to carry into their own leadership journeys.

With the Rugby World Cup 2025 being the biggest celebration of women’s rugby ever held in England and proving to be hugely popular, Hampshire’s commitment to developing coaches, referees, and role models for girls has never been stronger.

Find out more or get involved:

  • Hampshire RFU Girls Pathway and Representative Rugby here
  • Young Match Officials here
  • Coaching in Hampshire here

Fareham Heathens – facilities improvement for 2025!

At Fareham Heathens, we were delighted to receive a generous grant from the Hampshire RFU Rugby Force Grant.

At Heathens, we are experiencing a period of success and growth. Over the last couple of seasons, our 1st team has been promoted from Counties 3, to Counties 2. Alongside this, we have managed to regularly put out a 2nd team of a good standard, and will look to build on this success in the merit league this year.

To continue this momentum we want to give our members good value for their subs. Part of this offer, will be the provision of a gym/indoor tackle centre. We have been converting a derelict, poorly used, building belonging to the club for this purpose.

With the generous donation of the Hampshire RFU Rugby Force Grant, we have managed to arrange professional clearance of the building, and conduct a significant amount of decoration. This will allow us to meet our ambition of providing an excellent facility for the future of the club.

We will use the facility to continue improving the fitness of our players, and continuing vital Rugby skills during the winter months, when inclement weather may cause waterlogging and unplayable pitches.

Thank you Hampshire RFU again.

Fareham Heathens

 

Launch your season with RugbyFest

RugbyFest is a nationwide celebration of rugby, taking place from Friday 3 to Monday 6 October 2025. It follows the conclusion of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England and is a chance for communities to come together and celebrate the tournament.

Supported by the Red Roses, clubs, schools, colleges, universities and community organisations are invited to run their own local events, such as taster sessions, family fun days or mini festivals, to celebrate the sport, welcome new faces and mark the start of the season.

Why Run a RugbyFest Event?
Running a RugbyFest event helps your club:

  • Celebrate rugby union at all levels
  • Attract new players, supporters and volunteers
  • Engage families and promote inclusion
  • Inspire the next generation especially girls and young women
  • Be part of a national movement, celebrating off the back of the Red Roses’ journey in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

By registering your RugbyFest event, your club could:

  • Be in with a chance to host a visit from a Red Rose
  • Be one of the first 200 clubs to register and claim either a women and girls rugby event pack or a T1 Rugby equipment pack
  • Enter a competition to SuperCharge your RugbyFest with a game-changing prize

How to get involved
1. Read the Terms and Conditions here
2. Register your event by completing our form to host a RugbyFest event between 3 and 6 October 2025 here
3. Plan, Promote, Celebrate!

The clubs below have already signed up for the event and it would be great if you could join them:

• Havant RFC
• Trojans RFC
• Alton RFC
• Eastleigh RFC

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Alex Roe (RFU Club Developer) via email – alexroe@rfu.com

 

Swap Your Bag

Ready for the new season? Until 31 Aug 25, or while stock lasts, our partner, Physique are offering you the opportunity to upgrade your pitch-side or therapy bag while staying on budget!

For only £15, you can exchange your old pitch side or first aid bag for a brand-new Physique First Aid Bag in your choice of colour (red, blue, black).

Physique have x100 bags up for grabs and they are first-come, first-served so swap yours before they’re gone!

The full details of how you can swap your bag, including Ts & Cs, can be found in the below link:

https://www.physique.co.uk/News/Swap-Your-Bag?pp=hampshirerfu

 

Exclusive Offer From Physique

Bumper Offer from Physique

To help you get ready for gameday, our partner, Physique is offering our members the opportunity to claim not 1 but 2 FREE promotional products in their bumper offer throughout August 2025:

Spend between £40 to £79.99 at Physique and get a FREE pack of Physique Blister Plasters worth £5.99.
BUT
Bump the spend up to £80+ and you can also get a 2nd FREE product, a roll of Hypafix 5cm x 10m worth £4.98, making the total worth for the 2 free products £10.97.

Just add the blister plasters at the checkout when you place an order of £40 to £79.99 OR blister plasters and Hypafix when you spend £80+.

The offer is exclusive to Physique’s partners so orders must be through our affiliate link (see below) or by adding our affiliate code hampshirerfu at the basket. (spend inc VAT and delivery).

The offer ends on 31 Aug 2025 or while promotional stock lasts so don’t miss out!

Get shopping here: https://www.physique.co.uk/?pp=hampshirerfu

 

New Investment Secured for Hampshire Clubs

Hampshire RFU joins a new and innovative 18-month pilot project aimed at helping grassroots rugby clubs become more financially resilient and sustainable.

Supported by the RFU, the pilot will see the appointment of a specialist contractor working on behalf of Hampshire RFU to support a cluster of community clubs from across the county. By bringing clubs together to share services, as well as ideas and good practice of successful activities, the initiative will focus on unlocking new revenue opportunities from existing club facilities, such as bars, function rooms, car parks, and pitches – while also identifying cost savings across key operational areas.

Working closely with each participating club, the appointed contractor will provide tailored, hands-on support to explore commercial opportunities and improve operational efficiency.

Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development of RFU said:

“Community clubs are the heartbeat of rugby union, and we understand the financial challenges many of them face. This pilot project reflects our commitment to supporting clubs beyond the game itself – helping them become more sustainable, more resilient, and more able to thrive in the years ahead.”

Neil McRoberts, Chair of Hampshire RFU, added:

“This is an exciting moment for Hampshire rugby. Being chosen to join this pilot can be attributed to the hard work we’ve put in over the past year to reposition and restructure our Constituent Body. It’s also proof of our commitment to bringing new ideas and fresh investment into our clubs. We’re proud to be involved and see huge potential for this project to help build stronger, more financially sustainable rugby communities across the county.”

The role of the specialist contractor is currently open for applications. To find out more about the role, view the full scope of work and apply, visit the Hampshire RFU Vacancies Page.

The intended outcome for this role will be to prove its financial worth, with all the learnings used to inform future support models across the rugby landscape.

Hampshire RFU AGM & Awards: A night of progress, recognition and celebration

Hampshire RFU welcomed representatives from 25 of its 34 clubs to a successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, marking a pivotal moment for rugby governance in the county. The evening, hosted at Trojans FC, was a celebration of both the business of rugby and the people who make it thrive.

New Board Appointed to Lead Hampshire Rugby

At the heart of the AGM was the appointment of a new Hampshire RFU Board, tasked with steering the county into the future. The new board reflects a blend of continuity and fresh leadership, aiming to develop a vibrant, safe, and inclusive rugby environment across Hampshire. This was just one part of a fantastic season, more details of which can be found in the 2024 Annual Report here.

New President, Gary Self, formally took over from outgoing President Ed Neville, paying tribute to his dedication. A special mention was also given to Richard Showan, a stalwart of Hampshire RFU and Hampshire Referees.

The restructured board brings together a team with a broad range of skills, all committed to growing the game at every level, from grassroots to representative rugby.
(For full details of the new board appointment, visit: Hampshire RFU appoints new board)

Celebrating Rugby’s Unsung Heroes at the Hampshire RFU Awards

Following the AGM, the evening transitioned into the Hampshire RFU Awards 2025, recognising the players, volunteers, clubs, and officials who embody the spirit of rugby in Hampshire.

Representative Rugby Awards

  • Senior Men’s Player of the Year (FMT Bunney Trophy)
    Winner: Fraser Bruce (Worthing RFC / Club Hampshire 1XV)
    Recognised for his leadership and commitment in the Bill Beaumont County Championship.
  • Senior Women’s Player of the Year (Gill Burns Trophy)
    Winner: Natasha Bullock
    Celebrated for her outstanding performances and leadership during this year’s campaign.
  • Brian Short Memorial Trophy
    Winner: Chase Thomas (Hampshire U17s)
    Awarded to a young player who epitomises team spirit and selfless effort.
  • Robbie Keast U16 Award
    Winner: Beattie Markby Brans (Ellingham & Ringwood RFC / Hampshire Girls U16 PDG)
  • Robbie Keast U18 Award
    Winner: Rosie Wragg (Trojans FC / Hampshire U18 Girls)
  • John Sneezum U20 Captains Tankard
    Winner: Luigi Forconi (Winchester RFC)

Club League Champions 2024-2025

  • Counties 1 Hampshire – Havant II (22 wins from 22) – NEWS Challenge Trophy
  • Counties 2 Hampshire – Millbrook RFC (16 wins from 16) – ECHO Cup
  • Counties 3 Hampshire – Andover II (16 wins from 16) – PINNOCK Cup
  • Counties 4 Hampshire – Alton RFC
  • Hampshire Premiership South – Millbrook II
  • Hampshire Premiership North – Basingstoke II

County Badges for Outstanding Service

  • Sandra Coffin – For contributions to girls’ rugby and safeguarding.
  • Amie Boyes – For long-term commitment to U16 Girls DPP rugby.
  • Adam Leal – For services to Hampshire Referees and international officiating.
  • Matt Davis – For dedication to the County Women’s team.

Special Volunteer Awards

  • Administrator of the Year – Mel Chiwera (Aldershot & Fleet RFC)
    For exceptional leadership in rebuilding the club’s mini and junior section.
  • Fundraisers of the Year – Tristan Pattison & Nick Smith (Romsey RFC)
    For the inspirational Rugby4MND campaign, raising nearly £7,000 for Motor Neurone Disease research.
  • Unsung Hero – Alison Edmonston (Trojans FC)
    For tireless work in girls’ rugby and safeguarding initiatives.
  • Young Volunteer of the Year – Alfie James (Hampshire Rugby Referees)
    Recognised for his commitment to officiating and developing as a Young Match Official.

Club of the Year

This year’s Club of the Year Award was jointly awarded to Havant RFC and Trojans FC, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the rugby community. Both clubs have hosted numerous county events, festivals, and training opportunities, going above and beyond to support rugby at all levels.

As the baton passes to a new leadership team, Hampshire RFU looks forward to a season of growth, collaboration, and innovation to support the game across the county.

Welcome to Hampshire’s first Schools Rugby Manager

Hampshire RFU and TKAT (www.tkat.org) are proud to announce the appointment of Luke Worthington as the county’s first Schools Rugby Manager.

This landmark role, made possible through match-funding by TKAT and the RFU’s National Schools Rugby Manager (SRM) network, will focus initially on the Havant, Portsmouth and Gosport areas. This is a vital step towards boosting school rugby in the county.

The new 3 year funded position brings with it a set of exciting responsibilities: introducing and growing non-contact and contact rugby across primary and secondary schools, upskilling teachers and young leaders through CPD, building partnerships with clubs and community organisations, and collecting and reporting on impact to ensure sustainability.

TKAT (The Kemnal Academies Trust), which operates 45 primary, secondary, special and all through academies across southern England, including Havant Academy, Front Lawn Primary, Bridgemary and Miltoncross Academy, are co-sponsoring the post. TKAT is recognised for its strong school-to-school support and continuous professional development ethos. This aligns directly to the SRM post as it looks to work with state schools from across the area. Hampshire RFU is proud to have played a central role in brokering this partnership with TKAT and supporting recruitment.

Neil McRoberts, Chair of Hampshire RFU, said “Our thanks go to the RFU for funding such a crucial role and to TKAT for engaging with us. This is a fantastic example of collaboration between Multi Academy Trusts, the RFU and Hampshire RFU, bringing much-needed resources into Hampshire to support school rugby and create a pathway into our clubs.”

Luke will be based in the Havant, Portsmouth, and Gosport cluster, establishing rugby programmes and opportunities, including T1 (non-contact) in local state primary and secondary schools. The role starts on 1st September 2025.

For more information on Luke’s work, or to get involved, contact Hampshire RFU at admin@hampshirerfu.com.

Hampshire RFU Coaching Conference 2025: A World Cup Year Celebration of Learning and Inspiration

In a landmark World Cup year, Hampshire RFU welcomed over 80 coaches from 18 clubs and 5 colleges to its 2025 Coaching Conference — a day packed with insight, innovation and inspiration. Held at Totton College, the event brought together coaches from across the age grade and senior game to share knowledge, challenge ideas and raise the bar for coaching across the county.

With a programme designed to reflect this years women’s world cup and its impact on the game, the line-up of CPD (continuing professional development) was nothing short of outstanding. From grassroots to performance environments, the day showcased the very best in coaching thinking — all delivered in the collaborative, inclusive spirit that defines rugby in Hampshire.

Celebrating Coaching Excellence

The conference also hosted the annual Hampshire RFU Coaching Awards, recognising two exceptional coaches who embody the values, commitment and impact of great coaching:

Age Grade Coach of the Year – Andy Stevens (Barton Peveril College & Ellingham and Ringwood RFC)
Andy has made an outstanding contribution to both club and college rugby. He coaches the U16s at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC and both the men’s and women’s teams at Barton Peveril College — leading them to become the last remaining state school in the Roslyn Park 7s. Andy is also the lead coach for the Bath U16 PDG (Player Development Group), playing a vital role in shaping the next generation of talent.

Senior Coach of the Year – Theo Rhodes (Trojans FC)
Theo’s achievements in 2024/25 speak for themselves. Coaching two women’s teams to promotion — each with only one loss all season — Theo has helped propel Trojans’ women’s rugby to new heights. The club’s first team now competes in Championship 1 South, making them the highest-placed women’s team in Hampshire and the top side outside the Premiership.

Standout Sessions

The morning featured a truly memorable session “On Both Sides of the Ball” led by former England Women’s Head Coach Simon Middleton. With 26 U16 Girls PDG players taking part, coaches filled their notebooks and fired off questions as Simon broke down principles of attack and defence in dynamic, player-led sessions.

After a great lunch and a networking break, the afternoon brought a practical, high-tempo session delivered by Bath Rugby’s PDG coaching team. With 20 PDG players on hand, the focus was on conditioned games for learning — challenging coaches to adapt and apply the constraints for their own contexts. The pitch-side dialogue was rich and reflective, sparking ideas to take straight back to clubs and schools.

The day closed with an impactful and myth-busting session on Inclusive Coaching: SEND in Rugby. Coaches explored the importance of inclusive practices, gained awareness of the support available, and were introduced to key resources from the RFU to make rugby truly a game for all.

From elite insight to grassroots innovation, the 2025 Hampshire RFU Coaching Conference was a celebration of the coaching community’s energy, creativity and shared passion for the game.

For more information on coaching in Hampshire, resources, and the full list of Hampshire RFU and RFU CPD opportunities, visit Coaching in Hampshire

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