During this unprecedented time which has led to the early conclusion of the 2019/20 season, we are producing a series of fortnightly Friday features about people and groups at Chinnor RFC Thame. Next under the spotlight is the Under 12/13 Girls team ...

THERE is no doubt that the launch of the Club’s new girls’ team has been one of the successes of the past year.

In a season cut short by a pandemic which rightly puts health before rugby, the emergence of this U12-13 side at Chinnor RFC Thame is definitely worth highlighting.

“The girls have come on phenomenally,” said club coaching co-ordinator Alex Bond, who led the drive to start the team last September.

“Although they have not had many fixtures, they have more than held their own against clubs with girls who have been playing an awful lot longer.”

Flyers were delivered to Lord Williams's School, while social media and word of mouth helped to attract girls keen to take up the sport.

Alex added: “They were all new to rugby, but some of them had done touch rugby before.

“It’s interesting because the girls are not all from Lord Williams’s – most were - but we have a player from Aylesbury, another goes to school in Oxford and also Waddesdon.”

The girls train on a Wednesday (7-8pm) and for an hour on Sunday (1-2pm) if they do not have a fixture.

Oxford Brookes University RFC players Ellie Angove and Alice Biba were announced as coaches in December and they have been well received.

“Ellie and Alice have done really well,” said Alex.

“What’s good is, as they are only around 20, they can therefore relate to the teenagers so much better, so that really helps on a personal level and they are lovely.

“They’ve also got more recent rugby experience because they are still playing and with a nice coaching manner that is a good combination.

“They’ve put themselves out to travel and they’ve hardly missed a session.”

Alex continued: “The girls have been doing a little bit of everything from tackle technique, quite a lot of passing to get good hands, scrummaging, rucking and they love kicking.

“Some of the sessions have been quite serious, but we’ve also played kick tennis which they seem to love, so it has been a lot of fun.”

Last month, the girls were also treated to a trip to The Stoop as England beat Wales 66-7 in the Women’s Six Nations.

“It was brilliant,” said Alex.

“They also met some of the players, had their photos taken and it was really inspiring for them.

“That was a mix of a fun social day out and also the chance to witness everything up close – the technical side of the warm-up and the match, which included some big hits, brilliant passes, dummies.

“The parents said the girls were absolutely buzzing and had a brilliant time.”

And what is the plan for next season?

“We are going to try to run two age groups,” said Alex.

“Under 14/15 and 12/13 because half of the girls will go up to the older age group and the other half will stay where they are and our plan is to recruit more players.

They will still train together as a squad and we also have the excellent news that Alice and Ellie have committed to coach again for next season.”

The team were able to play fixtures this season by joining with other clubs, but it would be great to build on the ten-player squad for 12-a-side games.

We are looking for new players, regardless of previous rugby experience. Please email Team Administrator Lisa Fincken on girls@chinnor-rfc.com.