On Friday afternoon (26/09/2025), Hinckley RFC welcomed over 210 girls aged 9–15 from schools across Hinckley and Bosworth for the Hinckley and Bosworth Sports School Partnership Girls’ Rugby Festival. The event brought together players of all abilities, from complete beginners to those already playing regularly, for an afternoon of coaching, learning, and games.

Throughout the afternoon, the girls rotated around a series of focused rugby sessions designed to build core skills and confidence on the pitch:
Tackle Technique – introducing safe, correct technique for tackling, giving players the confidence to engage physically while reducing the risk of injury.

Passing and Handling – working on grip, accuracy, and timing to improve passing under pressure and build effective team play.

Kicking – covering everything from basic punt and drop kicks to goal-kicking, encouraging players to try different roles on the field.

Game Understanding – focusing on positioning, support lines, and decision-making to help players read the game and work as a team.

After the skills rotations, the festival concluded with a series of T1 Rugby matches between schools. These games gave the girls the opportunity to put what they had learned into practice in a competitive but positive environment. The standard of play improved as the matches went on, with some excellent defending, passing moves, and team tries on display.
The day wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of those involved. Special thanks go to:

• The Hinckley and Bosworth School Sports Partnership
• The schools for entering teams and supporting the festival
• The teachers who helped run, supervise, and encourage the players
• Hinckley RFC Hellcats players who gave up their time to coach, share their experience, and inspire the next generation of players

With such strong numbers taking part, the festival was a clear sign of the growing appetite for girls’ rugby in the area. The enthusiasm, energy, and talent on display suggest a bright future for the game locally.

We hope many of these players will continue their rugby journeys, whether that’s by playing for their schools, joining local clubs, or simply enjoying the game recreationally. Our aim is to see girls’ rugby grow across the area, and events like this play a big part in inspiring the next generation of players.

Email womenandgirls@hinckleyrugby.co.uk for more details if you are interested in trying the sport.