DESPITE, significant limitations due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Wharfedale Rugby Club’s two girls' teams are back in training for the first time since March, along with the rest of the club’s mini and junior teams.

The under-13 and under-15 girls teams were created in September 2018 and have since grown in confidence and ability, after playing the likes of North Ribblesdale, Ripon, Burnley, Kirkby Lonsdale, Wensleydale and Baildon.

Under the expert coaching of youth rugby development officer, Hedley Verity, the girls have become a close-knit group who were terribly disappointed to have their season cut short in early March.

As a result, the girls were delighted to resume training despite it being quite different.

The training sessions, which take place on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm at Threshfield, now involve temperature checks and hand sanitizing.

Guidelines from the UK Government and the RFU are followed to the letter, ensuring contact rugby training is kept to the allowed amount, rugby balls are cleaned regularly throughout sessions, and girls distance themselves when drills and exercises are explained.

Regular groups of between 15 and 20 girls usually attend the sessions, but the teams are always on the lookout for new players.

Any girls from the age of 11 to 15 (school years seven to ten) can come along to training regardless of whether they have played rugby before or are new to the game.

They would need to wear sports clothes and rugby or football boots. A gum shield is advisable but not essential at the moment as contact rugby is being kept to a minimum.

If you or someone you know might be interested in joining the teams or finding out more, contact the girls’ teams manager, Stuart Willis, by emailing wharfedalegirlsrugby@gmail.com.