Women and Girls Rugby SouthGate Park Crawley

We are Tyrone and Alex. Both of us are Level 3 qualified rugby coaches and between us we have over 25 years of rugby and multisports coaching experience. Whilst we have coached all ages and sexes, we have mainly developed the growing sphere of women and girls rugby.

We have a real passion for growing the game. Rugby is a lot of fun to play but it is equally brilliant at building confidence, developing sporting abilities; and is superb for making friends in its great social environment. Our ambition therefore is to be able to provide an opportunity for all women and girls, from all backgrounds to come and be part of the rugby community. Both of us have started women and girls sections from nothing. These sections now contain more than 100+ players each. Since their inception, both sections have seen hundreds of women and girls enjoy rugby. Players, and their families, have come from differing backgrounds and ages are from 5 to 50 years old. We are very proud that these sections continue to go from strength to strength.

Female rugby has seen strong growth across the country. However, not all areas have shared in this success. There are still places that rugby has yet to reach. We believe that are many, many potential players out there; players who would greatly benefit from playing rugby. Our ambition is to introduce the game into those areas, make rugby more inclusive and help make it flourish.

We have now started a new women and girls section in a town called Crawley, in West sussex. Based at Southgate Park in the centre of the town, we share pitches and clubhouse facilities with other sports clubs. The clubhouse and park is situated in a deprived area, the local community being a diverse, multicultural demographic. There are many schools, both primary and secondary in the catchment, but rugby has yet to be played at them regularly and continuously. This creates a tremendous opportunity to not only introduce rugby to reach a new audience, but to provide a club for players to play at regularly.

We have plenty of expertise and enthusiasm. But what we need requires funding. At the moment, we are using borrowed equipment, with coaches adding their own money to buy immediate needs like balls, cones and bibs. We now currently have 10 players of various ages and abilities who need female friendly changing rooms. The clubhouse was built a long time ago, catering for a different generational player. This presents real challenges that can limit the growth of the section and the rugby offering. To go forward, we have to address these issues.

In order to achieve this dream and to leave it intact and in place for all the future generations to come we are seeking help to fund and develop the following:

- School placed rugby coaches in the local area to provide

in lesson, after school and lunch time rugby clubs;

- Facility Improvements – functional and decorative to modernise

the club house to cater for an increase in new players

- Female friendly changing room improvements

- Playing and training kits

- Rugby equipment

Whilst we are constantly trying to seek sponsorship, as well as donations, both of these can be sporadic and fleeting. What would however accelerate the players development, is if we could raise a substantial sum to improve all aspects of their playing and social environment.

If you are able to contribute, we would be eternally grateful. Equally, if you know anyone else who might be able to help, please do share our message.

Thank you for all and any help!

Tye & Alex.