IN CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY - THE RISE OF THE FEMALE WARRIOR

BY PIP MERRETT, DRFC WOMEN’S CHAIR

Historically, participation in, and news coverage of, international, national and even local sports have been dominated by the male of the species - but, finally, times are changing.

At the Tokyo Olympics, 53.5% of Team GB were women. Both our Women’s Rugby and Women’s Cricket teams are ranked 2nd in the World (compared to the men’s teams in 6th and 3rd places respectively) and the Women’s Football team is ranked 4th (with the men in 5th). UK TV broadcasters have noted a huge increase in the number of people watching women’s domestic sports, including a greater proportion of women viewers. The heightened media coverage is not only promoting women’s sports, but is also making it more accessible, with participation at grassroots level increasing across the board.

Dorking RFC is proud to support Women’s and Girls’ Rugby and has done so for many years. Formed in 1988, the first Ladies team played regularly through the 1990s, culminating in them winning the North South Junior Cup in 1999. The first U15 and U18 Girls’ teams were formed during the 2000s with Kay Wilson, former England winger and our guest of honour today, being a Dorking Girl.

Girls’ Rugby was revived at the club in 2012, starting with about 10 girls aged 10 to 15. Having grown and developed over the years, the girls now account for around a fifth of the Minis & Youth section, across 5 age groups (U11s, U12s, U14s, U16s & U18s) and playing regularly in friendlies, tournaments/ festivals and Waterfall Cup competitions. Training is twice weekly - Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

In 2018 we decided to restart the Women’s section, holding our first RFU sponsored Inner Warrior camp and initially playing Touch Rugby. With former players returning from University and new Youth players coming up through the ranks, we recognised the need to develop and grow the squad in to a full contact team. We formed a link with Old Caterhamians Women during the latter stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and formalised that relationship to play as a joint team in the Inner Warrior Development League this season and last.

Our playing numbers at Dorking have increased steadily in the last 12 months and we now have almost 30 players regularly attending training and available for matches. Many of our players were completely new to rugby when they first joined. We intend to enter the RFU’s NC3 League next season.

As a progressive and inclusive club, Dorking RFC is committed to putting Senior Women’s rugby on an equal footing with the Senior Men’s both on and off the pitch, with Strength & Conditioning sessions and a dedicated physio clinic. We train on Wednesday nights - 6.30 to 7.30pm in the gym, 7.30 to 9.00pm on the pitch, and 9.00pm to last orders in the bar!

For more information please contact either girlsrugby@dorkingrfc.com or womensrugby@dorkingrfc.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. We are a fully inclusive club welcoming players of all ages and abilities. No prior experience is necessary.

You don’t have to be young, you don’t have to be fit, to have played before, or to own the right kit.

You just need some trainers, and some fire in your heart. To find your Inner Warrior, come and take part.”

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HEAD OFFICE: 020 8337 5527

KENT OFFICE: 01322 427000

EMAIL: INFO@OHOB.CO.UK

WEBSITE: www.ohob.com

Dorking Rugby

SINCE 1921

Special Offer For Drfc Members

Special Offer For Drfc Members

Special offer for DRFC members

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279 High Street, Dorking, Surrey

RH4 1RL

T: 01306 887560

279 High Street, Dorking, Surrey

279 High Street, Dorking, Surrey

RH4 1RL

RH4 1RL

Situated in the heart of rural Surrey, we are ideally placed to cover a wide geographical area of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages and countryside.

Situated in the heart of rural Surrey, we are ideally placed to cover a wide geographical area of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages and countryside.

Situated in the heart of rural Surrey, we are ideally placed to cover a wide geographical area of the county’s most picturesque towns, villages and countryside.

14 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey

T: 01306 887560

T: 01306 887560

RH2 7BE

T: 01737 222027

14 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey

14 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey

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Our senior partner has over 30 years of local experience and is well-supported by an excellent team with thorough knowledge of our market sector.

RH2 7BE

RH2 7BE

T: 01737 222027

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