TO mark International Women’s Day, female players and coaches at Northwich RUFC have been telling their stories of how they fell in love with the club and with rugby union in general.

The number of women and girls playing for the Moss Farm club has been steadily rising, with girls’ teams at every age group from pre-schoolers to under 11s.

The club’s Superstars, minis and juniors section was relaunched in 2019 and they have recently been joined for coaching sessions by England rugby league international Amy Johnson, who started her career at Northwich.

Northwich Guardian:

Some of the girls involved in Northwich RUFC junior teams

“We were brought up watching my dad play rugby, but I never had the opportunity to play as there were no girls’ teams,” said Emily Underhill, one of the club’s coaches who first came to Moss Farm as a parent.

“I found a love of team sports in hockey and netball and was delighted when we found the Superstars as the fun, positive atmosphere each week allows both my son and daughter to enjoy learning new skills in mixed teams.”

Kerry Stead, the Superstars pre-school coach and an active participant in Northwich’s walking rugby group, added: “Our girls are a credit to the club.

“Every week, they show us the Rugby Football Union (RFU) core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship that are at the heart of everything they do.

“They work so hard and are equal to the boys in their teams.”

If you would like to get your daughter involved at any age group from pre-school to Year 6, coaching sessions are run at Moss Farm on Sunday mornings.

Pre-school to Year 1 start at 9:30am and Year 2 upwards from 10:30am. The first session is free then memberships start from £6 per month.