Four years ago, girls' rugby made its long-awaited return to Penns Place after nearly two decades. Starting with just four players in 2020, the girls’ section has seen remarkable growth, with numbers nearly doubling in the 2024/25 season. Today, Petersfield RFC proudly boasts 13 Under-16s, 17 Under-14, and 6 Under-12s players.

While England Rugby mandates boys and girls to split from Under-12s, the club is already looking to the future. This season, Petersfield launched its Girls Rugby Academy, catering to Year 4 to Year 7 players. Since its inception in October, the academy has attracted 22 new players, setting the stage for them to join an Under-12s team in the coming years.

The Under-14s squad has witnessed extraordinary growth, leaping from just four players this time last year to 17 today. The club’s ambition doesn’t stop there – plans are already underway to establish a women’s rugby team by the 2026/27 season.

The Unsung Heroes of Petersfield Girls’ Rugby

This ongoing success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and expertise of Petersfield RFC’s coaching team. At the helm of the Under-16s is club legend Bella Sutton, supported by coaches Chris Meher and Chris Amos, who work tirelessly to develop the players both on and off the pitch.

The rapidly expanding Under-14s are led by co-managers Aisa Fraser and Ruben Calvard, with support from coaches Steve Clarke, Esther Higgins, and Hannah Bradley. Meanwhile, the Under-12s benefit from the guidance of manager Zoe Morris, who works closely with Hannah, Esther, and Steve as the players transition into girls-only rugby.

The Girls Rugby Academy is currently spearheaded by club chairman and former captain Stuart Barden, with support from Olly Read. Tom Guy, the Girls Rugby Coordinator, ensures all moving parts work seamlessly. These 12 passionate individuals are the spine of Petersfield’s girls’ rugby revolution.

Under 16s Rise to the Challenge On Matchday

On Sunday, 3 November, the Under-16s partnered with US Portsmouth to take on Basingstoke in their second league game of the season. Despite a valiant effort, Petersfield fell short against a dominant Basingstoke side.

Parent Ian Cook was kind enough to share his insights on the match:

"The reputation of the Basingstoke pack preceded them and there was talk before the game of uncontested scrums, but our girls were not having it and the forwards contested the scrummage extremely well against a much larger pack.  Playing to their strength Basingstoke kept the ball tight amongst the forwards and took the lead after six minutes.  A special mention is due to Basingstoke’s Number 8 who converted almost all of their tries.

In contrast we looked at our best when play opened up and we ran the ball.  A greatly improved performance at the ruck meant we were able to stitch phases of play together and our first try came from multi-phase ball: the forwards secured ball at the ruck; Harriet switched play to the left; two or three passes down the line and we were on the front foot;  Margot ran a great line from full back and had the gas to finish from 60 yards.  Great rugby to watch.

Basingstoke eventually ran out deserved winners, their forward play proving too hot for us to handle on this occasion.  But there was much to be enjoyed and applauded  in our performance and the team continue to improve every time they play - really well done everybody!    

Margot was deservedly named Player of the Match for her excellent tackling, with a special mention for Lara’s defensive efforts. Congratulations to Jess on making her league debut"

Success at the ‘Pitch Up & Play’ Tournament

More recently, the Under-16s hosted Hampshire Rugby’s 'Pitch Up & Play' tournament, welcoming nine teams from across the county. Petersfield’s players stayed together as a team, winning all three of their matches and securing the tournament title. The team will next face Farnham on 8 December, with high expectations for another strong performance.

While Storm Bert disrupted the Under-14s’ first 'Pitch Up & Play' session, they, along with the Under-12s, will be back in action on 15 December as part of England Rugby’s Love Rugby Pitch Up & Play campaign. This initiative aims to showcase the inclusivity and joy of girls’ rugby while building confidence in young players.

Building a Pathway for the Future

Petersfield RFC is committed to nurturing its girls' section, ensuring players can continue their rugby journey into adulthood. The girls now have their own dedicated Instagram account, launched in October, which has already amassed 120 followers. The weekly videos, often created by players, are drawing attention and helping to grow the club's profile.

Training sessions for the Under-12s, Under-14s, and Under-16s take place every Tuesday (6–7 pm) and Sunday (10 am) at Penns Place. The Girls Rugby Academy runs on Tuesdays from 5 pm, welcoming Year 4–7 players eager to learn the game.

If you or someone you know is interested in playing or volunteering, Petersfield RFC is always ready to welcome new faces. And if you are over 18 and from Petersfield, playing at university or elsewhere, we will be looking to launch our women’s rugby journey very soon so please reach out to Girls Rugby Coordinator Tom Guy if you are interested!

We are at the end of the beginning of our journey and we look forward to seeing what direction this inspiring story takes next!