Northampton Saints Community team played a crucial role in facilitating a momentous day for Beachborough School as it staged its first-ever girls’ rugby fixture.
For more than a decade, Beachborough has benefited from a relationship with Saints as a partner club, helping to support the development of players – including recent England men’s debutant, Henry Pollock.
In recent years, Saints’ community coaches have supported the delivery of rugby to girls within their games lessons, as the school looks to offer more opportunities to its students.
This has coincided with Loughborough Lightning increasing its presence at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – where all their home Premiership Women’s Rugby games have been played for the past two seasons.
Lightning captain and England international Daisy Hibbert-Jones balances her playing and training commitments with a coaching role with Saints’ community team, and was a driving force in delivering girls rugby at Beachborough School.
This led to the pursuit of a playing opportunity and an opponent was found in the form of Campion School, paving the way for Year 7 and 8 girls at Beachborough to play their first-ever fixture on Thursday 27 March.
“It was a fantastic day and the best way to round up the 12 weeks of coaching at Beachborough,” said Hibbert-Jones. “I was blown away by the enthusiasm of the girls, and how much they quite literally threw themselves into the game.
“I felt immensely proud to be a part of such a huge spectacle and proud of everyone that took part.”
Daisy Hibbert-Jones
Mark Usher, Director of Sport at Beachborough, said: “The day was a huge success and a fantastic reflection on the girls and their commitment to rugby over the last 12 weeks.
“The support from Saints and in particular Daisy has been fantastic, and the addition of the girls rugby lessons to the programme here at Beachborough will hopefully continue to get more girls involved in the game.”
