In September 2007, Bath Rugby Community Foundation launched a project aimed at giving girls throughout Bath & North East Somerset and Wiltshire the opportunity to play rugby within their school PE lessons.

This exciting project, backed by Wilts Electrical Wholesalers and Sportsmatch, aims to be the biggest and most comprehensive project of its kind the country.

Each school involved will receive a series of rugby coaching sessions in curriculum time, where the girls will work on developing their rugby skills with qualified coaches, including members of Bath Rugby Ladies.

Local clubs will also receive input as part of the scheme, with girls from their local area being fed into their respective girls’ sections, providing a school-club link for participants to continue progressing.

Project co-ordinator Vicky Heslop said, “It is great to be able to offer rugby coaching in school to so many girls in the area. Our hope is that they will continue to play and develop within their local club, and give a huge boost to girls’ rugby in the area.”

Ruth Pryor of Wilts Electrical Wholesalers said, “We are delighted to be able to support a project which gives opportunities to girls all over the area to discover the enthusiasm for rugby that has enabled their coaches from Bath Ladies to be so successful.”