After many attempts to get a women’s team up and running, Broughton RUFC Women Valkyries along with the support of Sedgley Tigers have opened their doors once again for women in Salford.
The Broughton rugby team’s aim is to improve fitness levels, provide a place for people to try something new, and give people a chance to take some time for themselves.
Sophie Collins is a part of Broughton Valkyries, and runs joint sessions with her partner Samuel.
She spoke about how women’s rugby has aided her mental health: “I suffered quite badly from anxiety and depression and that’s what got me into rugby.
“I was in quite a dark place, and I saw a post from a local ladies’ rugby team and thought I would give it a go, and ever since it’s released a lot of bad energy that I have.
“Mental health is really important to look after these days as well, and it’s helped so much.”
Being a coach to a junior girls’ team for four years, Sophie feels very strongly about how there needs to be a lot more done to keep girls in the sport.
She explained: “What I found difficult coaching the younger girls was that it was hard to keep the girls there.
“Funding is difficult for women’s teams, we have to find sponsors ourselves and try to raise money ourselves, and the little ladies need more of a push now that the Roses have shown what women are capable of.”
Samuel Randall, mostly known as ‘Rhino’, is the head coach of the Valkyries and has been involved with the club for over two years. Rugby has always been a passion of his, which saw him play for a semi-professional side when he was younger.
Bringing more equality to the sport is something that Randall wants to help with, and he explained how teams around Greater Manchester have stepped up a lot over the last few years to support this.
There has been a 28% increase in registered women rugby players since 2017. Furthermore, Samuel spoke about how the growing success of England’s Red Roses has opened the nation’s eyes to women’s rugby.
He said: “I’d say three years ago there was possibly one team in Manchester that had a ladies team, now they’ve all got them.
“If I’m being honest, I think the Red Roses are putting the men’s team to absolute shame at the minute. I’m gutted about their loss; I think before that they went about 30 games undefeated.”
However, he also expressed his views about why women may be reluctant about getting involved in rugby. He explained: “Women’s grassroots rugby has only just kicked off, and they could be scared because it is a very aggressive sport.
“Some women like getting their hair done, they like getting their nails done – don’t like getting them dirty the day after.
“Don’t get me wrong, we knock ten bells out of each other and go for a pint afterwards, that’s the good respect about rugby.”
On Friday evening, the team welcomed a few experienced women back to the pitch but were also happy to see some new faces having a go.
Jaye Fordham had her first training session and was in high spirits when asked about her experience: “I’ve not done it since school, and I thought I just wanted to try something new and improve my fitness, which is why I will be coming back.
“It’s really important to keep women in sport.”
After a cold Friday night training session, the Broughton RUFC Women Valkyries alongside Sedgley Tigers, look forward to their match on Friday evening in Prestwich.
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