A celebration of emerging talent and grassroots development took centre stage last Saturday (18th) at the RFU Girls’ Player Development Group (PDG) Festival, hosted at Broadstreet RFC and supported by Defender.
The festival provided a unique platform for aspiring players from all nine of the RFU’s PDG sites to test themselves in a competitive and supportive environment, highlighting the growing strength and depth of the women’s game.
In a week that also saw the launch of the “Defender Breakthrough Bursary”, Defender, Official Partner of England Rugby, supported the event with entertainment throughout. A customised Defender DJ vehicle brought the energy and hosted a Defender Q&A with Rugby World Cup 2025 winners; Zoe Stratford and Lark Atkin-Davies allowed players to engage with their heroes and learn how they can take their game to the next level.
As part of the wider women’s pathway calendar, the festival serves as a key milestone for player identification and development following on from the schools and college season and U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival at Wellington College.
With registered age-grade girls rugby players rising to over 26,000 participants in total this season, offering more match experience and exposure to structured competition aids in bridging the gap between grassroots participation and elite performance pathways.
Six uncapped players with Women’s Pathway experience were recently named in the Red Roses’ 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations squad, reinforcing the importance of continued investment in the women’s game at all levels.
Emily Mumford, RFU PDG Lead, said: “Saturday’s festival represented an opportunity for emerging players to experience quality match environments, test their skills under pressure and continue their individual growth within our development pathway, all while strengthening the depth of the women’s game in England.
“Consistent, competitive game time is critical for our young players and bringing them together exposed them to high performance standards to build confidence in their potential, accelerating their technical and tactical understanding of the game.
“This comes at an incredibly exciting and busy time for women’s rugby, with our U21 side and the Red Roses also competing on Saturday. That alignment through competition reinforces the strength of our pathway and the visibility of what’s possible.
“The PDG Festival ensure we are not only preparing players for the next level but also inspiring them to see themselves as part of the future of English rugby.”
Leonie Raistrick, Director, Defender (UK), said: “Defender is proud to support the next generation of players showcased at this year’s PDG Festival. Events like this, alongside initiatives such as the Defender Breakthrough Bursary, help remove barriers and keep talented young women in the game. Their passion and potential are clear, and we’re committed to backing their journey every step of the way.”
With thanks to the RFU
