A Weekend to Remember: Hampshire Girls’ Rugby Shines from Grassroots to England Pathway
An amazing weekend of rugby, smiles, and muddy fun showcased the incredible depth and spirit of girls’ rugby across Hampshire, from the newest and youngest players at the Love Rugby Festival to the talented U16s Girls on the England Pathway.
At Basingstoke RFC, over 40 U8–U11 girls from Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey came together for a morning full of energy, teamwork, and inspiration. Funded and administered by the RFU and delivered in partnership with Hampshire RFU, the festival marked a major milestone, with Hampshire RFU taking the lead as a delivery partner for the first time, strengthening the bridge between grassroots and pathway rugby.
The day kicked off with a lively mass warm-up before players rotated through skill-building zones designed to boost confidence and enjoyment of the game. Contact challenges, laughter, and plenty of muddy moments followed, all underpinned by the infectious enthusiasm of the Hampshire Girls U16 Player Development Group (PDG), who played a key role in planning and delivering the event.
Eight of the PDG players; Lilly, Sari, Alice, Bella, Scarlett, Bo-Louise, Evie, and Bonita, brought real energy and empathy, inspiring the next generation and proving the power of role models within the pathway. Their encouragement even sparked three young attendees to declare they now “wanted to join their local club!”
The next day, the coaches and girls of the Hampshire Girls U16 PDG, were back in action, this time for a playing opportunity against Kent Rugby, hosted at King Edward VI School’s Wellington Sports Ground. Over 100 girls applied their skills in a day of high-quality, competitive rugby. Hampshire impressed with their strong defensive structure and ruthless attacking play, a reflection of the growing quality within the county’s development system.
Huge thanks go to Trojans FC, King Edward VI School, and volunteer referees Jason Kehoe and Lee Foster for their superb contribution to the day’s success.
Together, these events represent more than just festivals or matches, they are milestones in the continued growth of girls’ rugby in Hampshire. With a 12% increase in age-grade girls playing across the county, the momentum behind the game has never been stronger.
From the first smiles at the Love Rugby Festival to the fierce competition of the England Pathway, the future of girls’ rugby in Hampshire is looking brighter than ever.
