By joining one of many Warrior Camps taking place up and down the country between 11th January and 9th February 2020, women can learn some of the skills and techniques of rugby, whilst getting fit, having fun and making friends along the way. Incredibly, these taster sessions – or camps – are delivered by England Rugby completely free of charge.

For the first time, in a move to further enhance the campaign and to add even greater value for women, the following clubs will actually be offering up to five sessions for free, providing an unrivalled opportunity for women aged 17 and above to get fit for free under professional guidance at the start of the New Year:

Bedford Athletic RFC
Blaydon RFC
Eton Manor RFC
Harpenden RFC
Horsham RFC
Ivybridge RFC
Keighley RFC
Leicester Forest RFC
Lymm RFC
Stourbridge RFC
Walsall RFC
Whitley Bay RFC
Yarnbury RFC

Sarah Hunter, England Red Rose Captain said: “It can often be daunting to try a new sport or get the motivation needed to go along to the gym for the first time. That’s why Warrior Camps are the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and as a result, you can have fun and get fit all at the same time! Warm-up activities, learning passing and catching skills, and fitness drills are combined to create these unique and exciting sessions.”

Building on the success of the Inner Warrior campaign, which has been responsible for encouraging more than 18,000 women to try their hand at rugby to date, England Rugby will now support a number of key clubs across the UK in further developing the programme. This will see selected clubs increasing the number of free Warrior Camps from one or two initial taster sessions, to four or five, meaning that women have a greater opportunity to try the sport out for free on a number of occasions, building fitness, confidence, skills and relationships. These sessions will all be run by an England Rugby Community Coach, who will be on hand to share their expertise, and to ensure a safe and enjoyable playing environment for all.

Steve Grainger, Rugby Development Director at the RFU said: “England Rugby’s Inner Warrior programme is providing women and girls across the country with a chance to come and give the sport a go for free. This gives an opportunity for women to get fit and have some fun, playing rugby under the guidance of our expert Community Coaches, without it costing a penny.”

In addition, and as a further build on the RFU’s Women & Girls Action Plan, England Rugby has also introduced the Inner Warrior Series for new and developing women’s teams, offering an opportunity for these teams to compete and continue to grow without committing to being a part of a league. 61 teams have already signed up to be a part of this new Series, with players being offered a flexible approach to competing, from different formats, to different times and locations, providing an approach to exercise and sport that is flexible for today’s busy lifestyle.

For more information and to book a session, head to englandrugby.com/innerwarrior

Courtesy of England Rugby via Neon Brand

The RFU has announced a new campaign ‘Meet Your Inner Warrior’, aimed at encouraging more women and girls to take up contact rugby within their communities.

A call to the surface of the inner toughness that inhabits all women, the England Rugby campaign aims to stir this inner alpha spirit, the inner undiscovered rugby player within all women.

Click HERE for the campaign video encouraging YOU to unleash your Inner Warrior.

As part of the Meet Your Inner Warrior campaign, 100 ‘Warrior Camps’ will take place in rugby clubs across the country from January 19 – 29, offering inviting and fun rugby taster sessions for women who want to try out the sport before joining their local club.

Personal trainer Chloe Madeley will be attending the Warrior Camp at Rushden and Higham RUFC on January 29. Click HERE to sign up for an upcoming Warrior Camp.

Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director said, “We set ourselves an ambitious target when launching our women and girls strategy in 2014; to get 25,000 women participating in contact rugby. Despite the ever-growing appetite for the sport that we have witnessed through achieving our target one year ahead of schedule, we know there is still work to be done to ensure women are aware of the opportunities out there for them to participate in rugby,  whether for fun or at a competitive level.”

“The upcoming ‘Warrior Camps’ are a great chance for newcomers or returning players to take part in the sport through fun and informal sessions to encourage them to pursue it further.”

The Warrior Camps are commitment free taster sessions teaching participants key introductory skills and drills for rugby, with help on hand every step of the way. All you need to take part are a pair of trainers and your usual workout gear.

Report courtesy of the RFU