Grassroot rugby club in Aylesbury celebrates inclusivity in the sport at a local level

Whether it's to cheer England on at their club house in today's game or to join one of the teams there, Aylesbury RFC is inviting all ages to join them.

Rugby pitch
Author: Zoe Head-ThomasPublished 17th Sep 2023

At Aylesbury Rugby Football Club, the atmosphere feels different.

It has an air of comfort in a community setting, like spending time with family members.

Only it has a five pitches with children and adults respectively playing on different grounds, each within their age group.

Parents eat pizzas enjoying a drink watching the sunset while their children are running around playing rugby with their friends.

"This is what rugby is about", tells me one of the coaches there.

The rumours are true, and only one who watches a game with other fans at a club, pub or in front of a big screen will understand.

Gareth Williams, Head Coach of the women's team, said: "The social aspect of rugby is quite famous through the adult rugby but it's the same for the kids."

"Every time they finish playing they're at the club house eating their hot dogs and all the parents are here as well. It's such an inclusive place for everyone to be."

Shaking hands at the end of the game, losers congratulating the winners, tears of sadness and joy, this is what rugby truly is about; the game, in good team spirit.

Rugby pitch

At a young age boys and girls play together in the same team, with little contact, which the Youth Chairman Paul Andrews, believes to help their development.

He said: "You don't have to be a player fully skilled you can come along, you can join in, and you can learn to grow into the sport. It's a game where you have to be in a team, so it forges the team camaraderie."

However just like any other sport, rugby still has a way to go to become more inclusive.

Aylesbury RFC is hoping to change that by inviting girls to play and introducing as many women's teams as possible.

"It's a sport that's growing particularly on the girl's side, and anyone can play rugby. You don't have to be the best player, you can learn all the skills", added Mr Andrews.

Lizzy, who plays in one of the girls teams there, said: "I think it's definitely something that would give your P.E. teacher a shock because people don't expect you to play it as a girl."

"It makes people respect you more."

All will be cheering England on today as the team faces Japan, with hopefully no red card and another top performance from George Ford.