WOMEN in Maldon are being offered the chance to play rugby for the first time while being coached by an England rugby international.
The Maldon Rugby Club Ladies has been launched, with help from Maldon District Council and the Maldon rugby club, and free touch rugby taster sessions are on offer at Promenade Park, Maldon.
And the team have enlisted the help of England U20 international and Maldon resident, Cat Pugh, to help out on Monday nights with all welcome to come along and give it a go – even if they have no experience.
The team was started by Marnie Freeman-Hacker and Anna Borowski who are pleased that they can enlist a successful local sportswoman to help out.
Marnie, 37, said: "It's brilliant to have Cat come along and help us out, the young ones can see that she loves the game and they can aspire to her level.
"She has a lot of enthusiasm for the younger players and it certainly rubs off on all of us."
And Cat, who lives in Maldon, told the Chronicle: "It's been great to help out with the coaching – there have been a lot of laughs and I've enjoyed it.
"It's nice to see a lot of enthusiasm for rugby and some of the participants who have never played before have improved a lot in just a few weeks."
Twenty-year-old Cat started playing at school and then competitively for Rochford U18s before playing for Saracens ladies and now Lichfield near her university in Loughborough.
She has played for England against international teams such as France and South Africa, and trains five times a week during the season.
She added: "What I love about rugby is that there's something for everyone, no matter what shape and size you are and it's a great way to meet new people."
Although it may be a little too late for newcomers to join England at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup it is a chance for players to come and try touch-rugby without obligation, develop their running and ball-handling skills, improve their fitness and most importantly have fun.
Touch is a gentler, non-contact form of the game, perfect for those who love the pace and excitement of contact but not the rough and tumble of tackles, rucks and scrums.
Marnie Freeman-Hacker started the project this year after suggesting a female team to Maldon Rugby Club. She told the Chronicle: "It was probably my fault, I opened my big mouth at the club asking why there wasn't a women's team and then they challenged me to create one.
"It's a great feeling to watch everyone smiling as they are playing. We try to have fun and it's a great way of improving your fitness playing a team sport – because some people find the gym boring.
"I know that a lot of women go over to Maldon Rugby Club and are involved over there so it's nice to have something for ourselves."
Currently girls up to the age of 11 can play mixed rugby but afterwards there are no teams in the district for over 11s.
Eventually, Marnie hopes to create an U16s team and an over 16s team, all under the watchful eye of head coach Mark Judd of Maldon Rugby club.
Marnie added: "We've had over 30 girls and women show an interest, which is a great response but we would love more to come over to give it a try."
The team was started with the help of Maldon District council which helped to secure a Sportactive loan of £725. This money has gone towards buying essential equipment for the sessions.
These will run until August 4 and will start again in September once the summer break is over.
No previous experience of rugby is necessary as the qualified Maldon RFC coaches will tailor their training program especially for newcomers to the game.
If you are interested in taking part in the sessions then please contact 0780 1987870 or e-mail syrc@inbox.com
