The 2023 Girls Rugby Festival bought together 163 enthusiastic participants from 12 schools across Dorset organised by the Dorset School Games team, Dorset & Wilts RFU and Bath Rugby Grassroots team.

Part of The School Games calendar, the day helped to make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity. It also provided young people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn through competition to achieve their personal best.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the coaching carousel kicked off the day, providing valuable insights and skills to the girls eager to explore the world of rugby.

The morning's coaching carousel featured local club coaches from Swanage & Wareham, Wimborne, Oakmedians, Bournemouth and Poole Rugby Clubs and students from Coach BU and Bournemouth University Women's team, who engaged the girls in various drills and exercises. The girls, many of whom had only experienced rugby in school settings, embraced the opportunity to learn and have fun, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

As the day progressed, so did the weather, with brighter skies providing the perfect backdrop for the afternoon's small-sided games which were refereed by the Coaches and BU team. The festival sought to promote girls' participation in sports and physical activity, aiming to tackle inequalities and encourage youth engagement in a supportive and empowering environment.

The diversity of schools represented at the event highlighted the festival's success in reaching girls from all corners of Dorset. For many participants, this festival marked their first encounter with rugby, emphasising the importance of providing a fun and enjoyable introduction to the sport. More experienced players were also accommodated, participating in a Leadership strand that allowed them to develop valuable skills beyond the playing field and a chance to put their leadership skills to the test as they take their new discovered skills back to their school environments.

Despite the initial weather challenges, the day proved to be a memorable and impactful experience for the 163 girls who attended. It was also fantastic to see so many organisations and clubs coming together to support the day. A huge thank you to everyone involved in delivering the event and of course to Swans RFC for hosting.