Ilkley’s girls star at Malton

Ilkley Rugby Club’s newly formed girls’ squad made the long trip to Malton and Norton Rugby Club to join the Yorkshire Under 18’s to play a match against Essex girls Under 18’s.

 Amanda Garner, the RDO for Yorkshire womens’ and girls’ rugby commented:

“Thanks for all your help on Saturday...you really have a great bunch of girls. I hope they enjoyed themselves...I know the veterans of the team were really impressed with their attitude...I really did mean what I said to them ....they deserved to wear the "Shirt" and they certainly did the White Rose proud....but this could not have happened without the whole support of your Club.”

This young Ilkley squad has some very promising talent in its ranks. Ilkley’s CRDO Dave Duxbury is confident that they can go from strength to strength and take on the leading teams in future years.

The fundraising efforts of the club took a new dimension this week as the Ilkley Soroptimists announced that 50% of the proceeds from their next big event would be directed towards the New Development funds. One club official wondered if the enthusiasm for girls’ and womens’ rugby had prompted thoughts of a veterans’ side too!

The event entitled “Hollywood” is an evening with TV celebrity Florist and Flower Arranger Carl Wilde. It will be held at the Craiglands Hotel on Tuesday 22^nd April, gathering at 7 p.m. for a welcome drink and the demonstration starting at 7.45 p.m.

Call Pat Hems on 430444 for tickets.

The same official expressed disappointment that the senior players would be unable to attend to hone their floral artistry skills as Tuesday is a training night and the following Saturday (26^th) is the day of the promotion play-offs.!

January 2008

Girls rugby underway at Stacks Field

In the meantime Ilkley Rugby Club’s work in the local schools continues apace. Community Coach Dave Duxbury reckons every pupil at Ilkley Grammar School has had the chance to try his hand at boys’ rugby and the growing interest has swelled numbers participating at school and in the junior section of the club. What is more girls’ rugby is up and running with teams in two year groups. A major milestone was reached this week with the first ever girls’ match on Tuesday evening was played on the first team pitch between Ilkley Grammar School and St Mary’s year 11’s. A great game of pace and no little degree of skill was played out with 100% commitment from both sides. Clearly both teams enjoyed the experience, as did the large crowd of school supporters who made more noise than is heard most Saturdays at Stacks Field. Ilkley came out winners, but the real winners were all the girls who participated in a game that demonstrated the best aspects of sportsmanship and bravery.

So great is interest in the sport that a recent Tag rugby course for coaches was attended by five boys and nine girls. These young people will now be able to help Duxbury in his Tag Rugby coaching at primary schools during spring and summer. What is more, it is an important credential for them in their Community Leadership profile.

Duxbury’s costs are sponsored by Skipton Financial Services, Magellan Residential, Myddelton Construction and Micklegate Special Projects with help from Bradford Council.