‘Incredible’ Stowe School camp wows Loughborough Lightning stars

Loughborough Lightning stars shared their delight in the ‘phenomenal’ girls’ rugby residential camp at Stowe School.

More than 120 girls aged from 12 to 17 participated in what is believed to be the world’s largest girls’ residential rugby camp last week (31 July – 4 August), organised by Northampton Saints’ Community department.

During the camp, which increased from four days to five days following the success of last year’s programme, participants tackle two training sessions a day and develop their understanding of the game through a variety of activities and game situations.

Midway through the 2023 edition, excitement levels hit fever pitch when the Loughborough Lightning squad arrived for a training session and to share their experiences of top-flight rugby.

Among them was long-serving Lightning flanker and Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm, who was taken aback by the scale of the camp.

“I had no idea the camp would be the size that it was,” she said. “To see the number of young girls across the age groups, I was quite shocked, but in a good way!

“It’s incredible and testament to the work that’s gone in behind the scenes to make this happen. Stowe School is a special place and it’s a cool experience for them.

The Glasgow-born forward, who joined Lightning in 2015, highlighted the camp as another example as to how girls’/women’s rugby is growing and is in stark contrast to her early exposure to the sport.

Malcolm added: “I didn’t play rugby as a child, and I think that was down to not having opportunities and not really knowing it was out there for girls. To see the number of girls here and to have the facilities, exposure, opportunities and level of coaching is incredible and it just shows the growth of the game and where it’s at.

“They will remember the experiences they’ve had at something like this for years to come. They’ve also had the opportunity to meet players they’ve idolised as well. I think to have role models in the game at such a young age is so important to capture that excitement. Days like today and camps like this are so fundamental to that.”

Lightning winger Bo Westcombe-Evans was making her second visit to Stowe School and could see progress in the general skill level year-on-year.

“The amount of girls that are here is just phenomenal,” she said. “I was here last year and the standard of the girls coming in is just amazing.

“From last year and coaching some of the girls, their knowledge was minimal which you do expect from young girls. Coming in this time, I was with some of the girls and I was blown away by their kicking ability and the standard most of the girls are at – especially some of the young girls.”

Despite being just a handful of years older than the top end of the age groups participating in the camp, Westcombe-Evans admitted she hadn’t participated in anything like what was taking place at the Buckinghamshire facility.

The 21-year-old also pointed to how the residential element of the camps will be beneficial for those who progress on into age-group international meets – but also for character building for life in general.

“Even from a non-rugby perspective, for building social skills and for making friends it’s great,” she said. “The people you surround yourself with are great people. It is a brilliant environment, even for girls who do not know anybody else when they come here.

“The skills that you’ll learn here are skills you can take away into other areas of your life as well. It’s great to see everyone get along and have fun.

“There are girls from Holland that have come here. It’s amazing, it’s not just Midlands, girls come here from all over England and even further afield.”