nick The first Sunday in 2017 every rugby club across the country welcomed back their players for their first training session whilst parents completed the registration process but in North West Leicestershire there was a group of willing volunteers and players unable to build a girls section.
The why they were waiting is a long story but one that soon became a distant memory as they flew on to the rugby scene with a huge level of positivity and passion. They did so within a club that had a social men’s team who had access to 1 rugby pitch own and run by the local parish council but that didn’t stop them having some fun.
In their first season they had so much fun welcoming new players from after school session at the local secondary school, building an U11s side and even getting to play at Allianz Park with coaching from the Saracen’s Women, who became the premier 15 champions a few weeks later. the Diamonds finished off their season by volunteering, well their parents, at the Woody’s 7s to help Woody out – then their chair.
The side grew from strength to strength and made sure that what ever they did they did it their way, who funds free half term camps with International coaches and players? Well they did and they loved welcoming players from 5 different clubs and the embarrassment of blindfolded making and eating sandwiches in front of World Cup Winner Tamara Taylor.
They embraced the rugby way and had more socials than we can remember but the highlights were the trip to Twickenham to watch the Red Roses and meeting the likes of Hannah Botterman and heading on tour to Great Yarmouth, even if the volunteers convinced the girls that both mini buses had broken down and needed pushing but it was 1st April after all.
Now we know that this seems like a post merely selling the club but we love our club, it’s family ethos and all of the things that we have done over the years. Have we a full trophy cabinet? Well we did make the area Semi-Final and our U15s have won a trophy at the Woody’s 7s but that is not what we are all about. We wanted to build a girls section that was built on fun, experiences, personal development as well as rugby. We wanted what we have, a great place to play rugby that is open to anyone and everyone in a location that is surrounded by larger clubs with bigger budgets. The section is now in its 5th year and a lot has changed, not just at the club but across the country. The club still has a thriving girls section, and has even added a minis section, that has toured all over the UK, cheered on the Red Roses and Tyrell Premier 15 sides.
We may be small but we are active, proactive and we are here to stay. For more information please check out our Facebook Page.
