BASILDON Rugby Club’s female sides are continuing to make a big impression.

Since being formed less than three years ago, the club now boasts three teams at junior age groups.

And coach Keith Hill remains proud of the progress being made.

“We started with three girls and we’re now up to 36, which is great,” said Hill.

“We have an under-13 team, an under-15 team and an under-18 team, so we’re a healthy club in terms of participation.

“We have four coaches and it’s fantastic fun, so I’m enormously proud.

“Kids in Basildon get a bad reputation at times, unfortunately, but these kids are a credit to the club and to the town.

“Plus the best thing about it all is they have so much fun, they’re fantastic.”

Basildon’s youngsters showed their skills last time out, winning a trio of trophies.

The under-13 team won the bowl, the under-15s the entire tournament without losing a game and the under-18s the shield.

But the female side of the club being formed actually came around by chance.

“It was done almost by accident,” explained Hill.

“I turned up at the club one night and there was a load of girls from a local school who we didn’t have a coach for. I coached them for two weeks and then I just kept on doing it from there.”

Hill is now ably assisted by coach Simon Beadle, who became involved due to his daughter wanting to play rugby.

“We were training at Gloucester Park and Simon walked in looking for somewhere for his daughter to train,” said Hill.

“He’s been helping ever since and it’s been great because it can be quite hectic with so many girls involved.”

The teams play at least twice a month and now boast a number of players involved at a higher level.

“We have players involved with the county team,” said Hill.

“I think it’s seven or eight from the under-15 side and Izzy Lush is also on the England pathway.”

But Hill is still keen to improve even further.

“We’re trying to get a senior team going because the girls need somewhere to go,” said Hill.

“We have a few of them who will be in the final year of the 18s next year and we will look at things then.”

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