Katie Speers from Ballymoney RFC, has over 23 years coaching experience within the minis and youth set up at the club. She noticed that when girls were reaching the end of Minis Rugby, there was no team for which they could still play, and she campaigned to get Girls’ Youth Rugby started within the club.
Katie reached out to the committee and asked if she could lead up the Women & Girls programme at Ballymoney, and is now the Head of Women and Girls’ Rugby.
Katie got in touch with local schools to organise taster sessions for the pupils, shared girls’ rugby over social media, created posters to be shared in primary schools and secondary schools in the area, and encouraged local members of the community to spread the word.
Working with the IRFU, she ran a Give It A Try programme, a six-week initiative created to give girls a taste of rugby. It was very successful and had over sixty girls attend and stay at the club.
“I have got so much out of seeing so many new faces from different schools, different communities, and it is amazing to see how many friendships have formed amongst the girls, and the new found confidence it has given them.” Katie enthuses.
Speaking to one of the girls at Ballymoney RFC, she exclaimed, “Katie does so much for us, she always has a laugh with us, she helps with training, organises all of our matches, she is amazing.”
Some of the girls from Ballymoney have gone on to be a part of our Ulster Development Squads, showing the impact Katie has had by introducing these girls to rugby within their community.