Devon clubs encourage women into sports

The biggest area of growth for rugby is now among women and girls

With Exeter hosting seven Women's Rugby World Cup ties, several Devon sports clubs are hoping to use the tournament as a springboard for women and girls involvement.

Ash Parson, chairman of Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby Club, said the club had redeveloped their facilities - with four charging rooms with private entrances and showers, as well as gender-neutral toilets.

Mr Parson said women and girls previously had to play separately on Sunday afternoons, so the new facilities were a "huge step forward for inclusivity".

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) development officer Rachel Miller said most rugby clubs were built in "a period where the female game just didn't exist", so the redevelopment was an example of a "really positive shift in the culture".

Mr Parson said it gave the club "the flexibility to host all kinds of fixtures without worrying about safeguarding issues".

The biggest area of growth for rugby is now among women and girls, according to English rugby's governing body the RFU.

It commissioned a report to understand how it could use the World Cup to build a legacy for the women's game.

'I belong here'

Miss Miller said as well as improving facilities across Devon, increasing the number of women involved as referees and coaches was having a positive impact.

She said small changes such as adding sanitary bins helped women and girls feel they had "been thought of", which made them think, "I belong here".

Miss Miller said many clubs in Devon were making the most of the World Cup to bring women into the fold.

She said: "They're hosting watch parties, we've got girls activity fun days, which has got bracelet making and origami and knitting and things like that.

"Everyone's embraced it and got fully involved because they can see the benefits of increasing and expanding their female sections, which has been incredibly pleasing."

The Young Women's Football Academy is Plymouth's first girls-only academy

Rugby is not the only sport looking to get more women and girls involved.

Ashley Brandon set up the Young Women's Football Academy in April, Plymouth's first girls-only academy.

The academy provides training for girls aged 10 to 14 and hopes to provide a pathway into professional football.

It has recently become a feeder club for Torquay Academy and is looking to connect with other local professional clubs.

Ms Brandon said: "Our goal is to help and develop as many girls as we can become the best they can be... in the beautiful game we call football."