Rugby: Newly-formed South London primary school girls team play first competitive matches

A new mini’s rugby squad of girls aged six to eight and drawn from 12 primary schools in South London played their first competitive matches at Eltham College recently.

Old Elthamians Rugby Club launched a new team at their spring Foxbury Festival of mini rugby last month, attended by more than 1,200 young players from 15 rugby clubs.

Showing off their new rugby kit, sponsored by Jemca – the Toyota Lexus car dealership in Sidcup, two teams of girls played four matches of tag-rugby against teams of mainly boys.

In honour of the original Foxbury fields that the Old Elthamians Rugby Club played on, the new team has been named the Foxes.

Foxes head coach Nick Linford said: “By creating a girls team in the mini’s this is an innovative way to encourage even more girls into this brilliant team sport and early indications show it will be highly successful.

“Everyone had brilliant fun playing matches against other clubs, showcasing the best of teamwork and how much fun rugby can be.”

Foxes already have 20 players but are keen to encourage more girls from year two and three to join.

Anyone wanting more information can contact Linford on 07899 798270.