Pilkington Recs under 9s girls to take centre stage at Saints

And Pilkington Recs hope it will be the springboard to attract even more youngsters to their thriving squads.

A group of the club’s under-9s will take to the pitch in front of a packed house at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Among the group are several talented girls - and Recs hope their display will help attract more female players to the squad so that the age group can plan towards fielding an all-girls team once they reach the under 12s age group.

Girls from Pilks Recs under 9s (Image: Pilks Recs)

Youth rugby league sees boys and girls play together between under 7s and under 11s.

When they reach under 12s, girls and boys compete in separate teams.

Recs, like other community teams in St Helens, are continuing to attract more girls to their ranks, with the increased profile of Saints women’s team fuelling interest in the sport.

Pilkington Recs will be in action at Saints (Image: Pilkington Recs)

Phil Thompson, head coach of the club’s under 9s, which run four teams, said: “We have a great group of players, with a large amount that have been with us since the age of four.

“We also have an 11-strong team of coaches [in the under 9s] at the moment, and we are always looking to add to this - whether that be players or coaches.

“We currently have a few girls in our teams and we are looking to get more involved so that when the girls' competition starts at U12s they will be in a great position to do so.

Pilkington Recs have witnessed a surge of interest in the girls’ game (Image: Pilkington Recs)

“The girls' game is thriving at the minute, and this is showing down at the Recs.”

Recs have girls teams at 13s and 15s, while the u8s fielded an all girls team for the first time in North West Counties history at a mixed age group.

Pilkington Recs have age groups from cubs (under 6s) through to under 18s and are based at Ruskin Drive sportsground.

If you are interested in playing contact info@pilkingtonrecs.org