Enfield Ignatians Girls Rugby Club, is determined to reach equality for woman and men in the sport of youth rugby.
“England women are first on the table, we are the best, whereas the men are seventh!” Chloe Sweeney (teammate)
“Women's sport in general is so overlooked.” - Chloe Villalobos (teammate)
The club expressed the issue of needing a girl's specific girls changing room, as the girls on match day would otherwise need to hurriedly get changed in the boys' locker rooms and evacuate, along with their belongings, so that the boys could use it after.
“The girls are just as good as the boys and deserve to be credited so” - James Sibley (coach)
The girls felt it unfair that in an already male dominated sport of rugby, that their opportunities were faltering even more.
However, not going down without a fight, the Enfield Ignatians rugby club continues to help raise money to fund the changing rooms
The girls have participated in events ranging from sponsored runs, Halloween parties and bake sales, involving the public simultaneously.
“We do parties, dress up days, group chats, birthdays, we go out, sometimes we go to the beach, bowling, amusement parks, mini golf, adventures after training, some to raise money and some to make memories together” – Lila Mazen (teammate)
Coaches Tom Mann and James Sibley both coach the girls' team.
Alongside them works former teammate, and talented role model (now part of the U20’s Ireland team) Niamh Gallagher, who tries to implement her training to the younger girls.
“The intensity at training is so much higher and therefore, you're pushing yourself to the limits!” - Niamh Gallagher
The team show inclusion and success on and off the pitch, going on annual Rugby tours.
“I made lots of memories on tour, camping, playing, partying together all dressed up as British icons, Mr. Men, Shakespeare, Honey G, the Spice Girls...” - Chloe Sullivan (teammate)
In between passing drills, setting up rucks, forming scrums and practicing moves of the line-out, the girls also urge more youth to join rugby as it helps with skills including confidence, discipline, and resilience.
“Everyone can play, all shapes and sizes; you can go to any club, and you've automatically got fourteen new friends” - Daisy Webb (teammate)
“We all like to stick together and hang out as friends, we’ve all created this supportive bond which help us on and off the pitch”- Eliza Sibley and Emily Mann (teammates)
All the girls wish you a warm Christmas and hope they get their present; the changing rooms they deserve.
