Fylde Rugby Community Foundation: Award-Winning Rugby Pioneers in North West England's Football Heartland
Based at Woodlands Memorial Ground in Lytham St Annes, their mission is to improve access to Rugby Union on the Fylde Coast and beyond by offering community pathways for participation and appreciation of the sport – regardless of age, sex, religion or background.
With particular focus on developing women's and girls' rugby, they're diversifying the sporting landscape in this corner of North West England as the country prepares to host the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer.
The Foundation, launched in March 2020 as a standalone charity, operates with the belief that Rugby Union has the potential to bring physical and mental benefits to all participants and wider societal benefits. Their work is underpinned by rugby's core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship – values that resonate particularly strongly in their women's and girls' programmes.
The Foundation's efforts to develop women's and girls' rugby have been significantly bolstered by nearly £70,000 of National Lottery funding since 2020, distributed through various channels including Sport England and The National Lottery Community Fund. This substantial support has enabled the Foundation to launch a diverse range of initiatives, with particular focus on making rugby accessible to girls and young women.
Their impact on the local community hasn't gone unnoticed. In September 2024, the Foundation was honoured as Winners of the Fylde Sports Awards 2024 in the 'Contribution to Active Communities' category, a testament to their tireless efforts in promoting women's rugby and physical activity in the region.
The Foundation benefits from distinguished leadership, with Sir Bill Beaumont CBE DL, Chairman of World Rugby and lifelong Fylde RFC player, serving as Honorary President. Sir Bill's vision for inspiring more people to become involved in rugby through innovative programmes aligns perfectly with the Foundation's mission, particularly as they work to engage with vulnerable young people in more deprived areas within their local communities.
Breaking Through Football's Traditional Stronghold
At the heart of the Foundation's women's rugby development is their school outreach programme. In a region where young female athletes might instinctively gravitate towards football, the Foundation is offering a compelling alternative through rugby. They've introduced the sport to areas where it was previously overshadowed, with some schools now hosting after-school rugby sessions regularly attended by 15 to 20 girls.
"There was a need for funding. We are delivering in a lot of schools, there were girls that wanted to try rugby, wanted to give it a go but there was no resource and there was no coaching time to be able to do it. Secondary schools don't have a lot of budgets, especially in PE," explains Phil Mills, Foundation Director. "Girls were struggling to play basically. This funding enabled us to go and deliver taster sessions in schools, which then feeds into our girls' rugby side that we're setting up and it's gone well."
Targeted Investment in Girls' Rugby Development
The Foundation's growing girls' rugby programme received nearly £10,000 in 2022 specifically to deliver rugby taster sessions in schools and provide weekly sports activities to young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. This targeted investment has created sustainable pathways for girls to discover and develop their rugby potential.
Mills recognises the broader momentum in women's rugby as England prepares to host the World Cup: "Women's sport is experiencing a real boom. I think just from it being more accessible in the media and there are more opportunities to get involved. So, in our sessions we will be mentioning that the games are on and to watch it and get a feel for it. So, I think it will increase numbers, which is obviously great for the sport."
Breaking Through Football's Traditional Stronghold
At the heart of the Foundation's women's rugby development is their school outreach programme. In a region where young female athletes might instinctively gravitate towards football, the Foundation is offering a compelling alternative through rugby. They've introduced the sport to areas where it was previously overshadowed, with some schools now hosting after-school rugby sessions regularly attended by 15 to 20 girls.
"There was a need for funding. We are delivering in a lot of schools, there were girls that wanted to try rugby, wanted to give it a go but there was no resource and there was no coaching time to be able to do it. Secondary schools don't have a lot of budgets, especially in PE," explains Phil Mills, Foundation Director. "Girls were struggling to play basically. This funding enabled us to go and deliver taster sessions in schools, which then feeds into our girls' rugby side that we're setting up and it's gone well."
Targeted Investment in Girls' Rugby Development
The Foundation's growing girls' rugby programme received nearly £10,000 in 2022 specifically to deliver rugby taster sessions in schools and provide weekly sports activities to young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. This targeted investment has created sustainable pathways for girls to discover and develop their rugby potential.
Mills recognises the broader momentum in women's rugby as England prepares to host the World Cup: "Women's sport is experiencing a real boom. I think just from it being more accessible in the media and there are more opportunities to get involved. So, in our sessions we will be mentioning that the games are on and to watch it and get a feel for it. So, I think it will increase numbers, which is obviously great for the sport."
