Roughyeds announce new women's team
Oldham RLFC has announced the launch of a new women's rugby team, with Ben Marsden appointed as head coach and Natalie Howarth as team manager. The first open training session will be held on August 30th at Netpar Training Centre. The initiative aims to create a pathway for local female talent to compete professionally, addressing the current need for players to leave the area for opportunities. The club also highlights enthusiasm for women's sport and upcoming events, including a War of the Roses fixture at Boundary Park.
Oldham RLFC has launched its first women’s rugby team, appointing Ben Marsden as head coach and Natalie Howarth as team manager, with trials set for August 30 at Netpar Training Centre.
The club will hold an open training session at 10am on Saturday, August 30, for interested players as Oldham enters the rapidly growing women’s rugby league scene. Marsden, a longtime figure in local rugby, sees the initiative as vital for retaining talent that currently leaves the area to play professionally.
“There is so much talent in Oldham,” Marsden told Roughyeds TV. “Currently if the women here want to play professional rugby they have to go further afield so we are losing talent. Ultimately we want the talent in Oldham to be playing for the local club, and playing competitively.”
Howarth, already involved with the club’s expanding pathway system, emphasized building from grassroots levels. “There are successful under 13 and 14s girls teams in Oldham and we want to build that pathway from the grassroots to the professional game for them,” she said. “Come and be part of Oldham, be part of our new women’s team and be that inspiration for the young girls of Oldham. They need someone to look up to and it could be you.”
Boundary Park will showcase women’s rugby further when it hosts the War of the Roses fixture between Lancashire and Yorkshire on October 18, featuring an under-13s curtain-raiser with Waterhead girls.
Source: Read original article