BEAT THE POST CHRISTMAS SLUMP AND GET FIT FOR FREE

England Rugby Inner Warrior Campaign offers up to five unique and professional training sessions across the country for free this New Year

WEBSITE: englandrugby.com/innerwarrior

England Rugby is offering women nationwide the chance to get fit for free this January, through the next phase of their successful Inner Warrior campaign, which has been created to introduce women to contact rugby who may not have played before.

By joining one of many Warrior Camps taking place up and down the country between 11th January and 9th February 2020, women can learn some of the skills and techniques of rugby, whilst getting fit, having fun and making friends along the way. Incredibly, these taster sessions – or camps – are delivered by England Rugby completely free of charge.

For the first time, in a move to further enhance the campaign and to add even greater value for women, selected clubs will actually be offering up to five sessions for free, providing an unrivalled opportunity for women to get fit for free under professional guidance at the start of the New Year.

Sarah Hunter, England Red Rose Captain said: “It can often be daunting to try a new sport or get the motivation needed to go along to the gym for the first time. That’s why Warrior Camps are the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and as a result, you can have fun and get fit all at the same time! Warm-up activities, learning passing and catching skills, and fitness drills are combined to create these unique and exciting sessions.”

Building on the success of the Inner Warrior campaign, which has been responsible for encouraging more than 18,000 women to try their hand at rugby to date, England Rugby will now support a number of key clubs across the UK in further developing the programme. This will see selected clubs increasing the number of free Warrior Camps from one or two initial taster sessions, to four or five, meaning that women have a greater opportunity to try the sport out for free on a number of occasions, building fitness, confidence, skills and relationships. These sessions will all be run by an England Rugby Community Coach, who will

be on hand to share their expertise, and to ensure a safe and enjoyable playing environment for all.

Steve Grainger, Rugby Development Director at the RFU said: “England Rugby’s Inner Warrior programme is providing women and girls across the country with a chance to come and give the sport a go for free. This gives an opportunity for women to get fit and have some fun, playing rugby under the guidance of our expert Community Coaches, without it costing a penny.”

In addition, and as a further build on the RFU’s Women & Girls Action Plan, England Rugby has also introduced the Inner Warrior Series for new and developing women’s teams, offering an opportunity for these teams to compete and continue to grow without committing to being a part of a league. 61 teams have already signed up to be a part of this new Series, with players being offered a flexible approach to competing, from different formats, to different times and locations, providing an approach to exercise and sport that is flexible for today’s busy lifestyle.

LISTINGS

The following Clubs will be offering the extended Warrior Camps, with five free sessions available for women aged 17 and above:

• Bedford Athletic RFC
• Blaydon RFC
• Eton Manor RFC
• Harpenden RFC
• Horsham RFC
• Ivybridge RFC
• Keighley RFC
• Leicester Forest RFC
• Lymm RFC
• Stourbridge RFC
• Walsall RFC
• Whitley Bay RFC
• Yarnbury RFC

How do I register for a place at one of the Warrior Camps?

Visit englandrugby.com/innerwarrior to find your nearest Warrior Camp and to register for a place. The majority of camps are for female participants aged 17 and above.

When?

The Warrior Camps take place on between 11th January and 9th February 2020. See englandrugby.com/innerwarrior for details and to register your interest.

Where?

There are more than 100 Rugby Clubs across the country who are holding Warrior Camps. See englandrugby.com/innerwarrior to find your closest participating club.