WOMEN’S rugby may finally take off in North Cornwall after a new team has been formed in Bude.

Organised by Kaytlin Hunter, and backed by Bude Rugby Club, over 30 ladies turned up to Bencoolen Meadow on Saturday, February 25 for a taster session with RFU Development Officer Neil Smith.

With a wide range of rugby experience to cater for, Smith started by talking through the rules of the sport and getting some of the lesser experienced players to get used the basics before finishing the session with a game of touch rugby.

Hunter, who came up with the idea, couldn’t believe the turnout and has big plans for the team.

Hunter said: “Neil and I were absolutely blown away by the number of girls who turned up and they all said they really enjoyed themselves.

“Not only that we were pleasantly surprised by the skills on show and hopefully we can build on that in the coming weeks.”

It was at university in York where Hunter started playing rugby. Now back in the town, she wanted to set up a club with no women’s team in the local area.

Hunter continued: “When I was down at St Austell Rugby Club I spoke to Neil about the possibility of setting up a club up here.

“Neil said if you can get enough people here and sort everything out he’ll run the sessions and it’s worked out really well.

“We’ve only got five or six weeks until the end of the season but we’ve arranged a friendly with Penryn on Sunday, April 16 so that gives us something to really aim for so we can keep improving our skills both individually and collectively and get better. Then in the autumn we’ll start again and hopefully set up plenty more matches and start to get much more competitive. However, we want to still keep it fun, as that’s what it’s all about.”

Hunter was also quick to praise Bude Rugby Club for their support and to Smith for his coaching.

Hunter added: “We wouldn’t have been able to do anything without the club. I’d like to thank them for allowing us to use the facilities and for supporting us, while it’s great that Neil has agreed to coach us until the end of the season. Training takes place at Bencoolen Meadow at 10am each Saturday for the next few weeks until mid-April.”

For further information, contact Hunter on 07940 717373 or by visiting the group Facebook page at ‘Bude Women’s Rugby’.