Eagles Foundation and RFL team up for World's first ever Women's festival

27/06/2024

The Eagles Foundation recently partnered with the Rugby Football League to stage Wheelchair Rugby League’s first-ever women’s festival.

Twenty-four players from Wakefield, Leeds, London, Salford, Wigan, York and of course Sheffield were present at the event, along with women coaches and match officials at the Concord Leisure Centre in Sheffield.

One of those in attendance was London Roosters and England player Freya Levy who noted; “The event was amazing. The passion and spirit shown by all the players, some first-timers, was brilliant and there were some great skills on display. It adds another exciting element to our wondering and inclusive sport!”

As one of several Sheffield Eagles present at the event, Jenny Pearson has shared her thoughts on the event:

“I was so happy to have the opportunity to attend and had been really looking forward to it. It was a great session. It was well attended and included women of mixed abilities and experience from all different regions.

“My personal experience of wheelchair rugby league started around 3 years ago and I never imagined that I’d ever want play in a competitive game. I had little knowledge of rugby league and was very much a beginner in every sense. I have developed in terms of my wheelchair ability and game awareness and am striving to develop more. I have felt very much nurtured by coaches and other more experienced players at the club. I really enjoy the mixed environment of playing with men, women, disabled and able bodied players.

"I am disabled myself and had become a bit isolated in recent years and rugby has really helped me reconnect with people. When I’m playing wheelchair rugby league I feel very focused on my ability rather than disability and push myself week on week to get better. The main thing for me is that I really enjoy what I am doing and I still want to hold on to this if I do progress to playing at a higher level.

“I really like playing rugby with both men and women on a mixed team but I do see the appeal of women’s wheelchair rugby league as well. I think that anything that helps get more people encouraged to participate in the sport is a positive thing. At the Sheffield Eagles we have quite a number of female players and there is some great experience they have brought with them from playing women’s rugby in the past.

“At the Women’s Festival it was a great environment and I felt as though the more experienced players really tried to create opportunities for the newer players to get involved. I think having a women’s focused event was great in demonstrating a real commitment to trying to create playing opportunities for women. The session included some guided training drills with England Head Coach Joe Coyd MBE and Sheffield Eagles Head Coach Greg Brown. Then some games in the second half. The event was really well supported with the coaches and referees and volunteers helping to set up chairs and organise the environment. Everyone looked to be enjoying themselves and working really hard to make the most of this incredible opportunity.

"After the session Martin Coyd OBE approached me and spoke about a couple of things I was doing well end encouraged me to keep going - this was a real lift for me as I sometimes struggle with my confidence. I have encountered some health challenges and operations which have taken me away from the game and interrupted my progress so it was heartening to know that I am still on the right track.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who made this event happen and it really does make me excited for the future of women’s wheelchair rugby league!”