A WOMEN’S rugby team is set to kick off in Petersfield after an East Hampshire district councillor passed them a start-up grant.

Petersfield Rugby Club is bringing women’s rugby back to the town and developing a ladies’ section once again. More than 18,000 girls and women are registered to play rugby in the UK.

Aided by Leanne Riley, the Harlequins and England scrum-half, the work started with visits to schools to take assemblies, games lessons and after school clubs to whet the girls’ appetites, before three taster day training sessions in the summer.

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) deputy leader Councillor Julie Butler has given the club £717 from her annual councillor grant budget to provide basic training kit such as balls, bibs and cones.

Training is from 10am to noon on Sundays for girls aged from under-11 to under-18, with a range of coaches including London Irish’s Laurisa Robson.

Director of women’s rugby Pam Cheeseman said: “We are putting in considerable effort to re-start women’s rugby at Petersfield and to be recognised and receive support like this – makes it all worthwhile.

“Laurisa helped out at our taster days with ex-England prop Claire Purdy – who brought along her World Cup winner’s medal to show the girls. She is fantastic with the group and I feel sure they will learn lots.”

The group will also be supported by former Petersfield starlet Fiona Pocock, who will act as the club ambassador and help with the coaching when she can.