Saints women show support for first under 7s girls team at Pilkington Recs

With women's rugby league increasing in popularity in recent years, local rugby clubs have seen a rising number of girls wanting to get involved in the sport.

Due to their development and the fact that girls often do not have enough players to make up a full team at younger age groups, girls and boys usually play in mixed teams until the under 12s.

The team is possibly the youngest all girls rugby league team across the country (Pic: Jess Hornby)

However, as the demand to play rugby is getting higher in younger age groups, Pilkington Recs were able to field their first all-girls under 7s team on Sunday, June 19.

Coming as a first across the North West Counties leagues, Pilks coach Ant Tracey said it is likely the youngest all-girls team across the country.

To mark the historic match against Warrington's Woolston Rovers, Saints Women players Faye Gaskin, Pippa Birchall, and Rachel Woosey all came down to show their support to the budding rugby league players.

Showcasing their ability on the pitch, the girls won the match 36-28 with Woolston also having two girls playing for them.

The girls are said to be really eager to learn and improve their rugby skills (Pic: Jess Hornby)

Ant, who coaches four teams across the under 7s at Pilks, said: "The participation of girls playing rugby league is growing right across the North West.

"Most clubs have a couple of girls playing in the younger age groups but no other team has had this many girls at this age group.

"The girls are just fantastic. They are really interested in the game and always want to learn - and they don't shy away from getting stuck in with the boys!

After the success of Sunday's game, Ant hopes that even more girls will start to show an interest in rugby league which can help the game grow and accommodate all people of all ages.

The girls beat Woolston Rovers 36-28 (Pic: Jess Hornby)