Durham County Schools beach festival sees a record number of girls playing rugby

Durham County Schools beach festival sees a record number of girls playing rugby

Durham County Schools Girls beach festival recorded its biggest attendance so far with 250 girls playing touch rugby.

Over fifteen schools gathered at Seaburn beach on Friday afternoon to participate in the yearly Durham Schools beach festival organised by RFU Community Rugby Coach, Matthew Bradford.

Players from U13 and U15 age groups played in the touch rugby round robin games from schools; Castleview, Consett Academy, Dene Community, Durham Johnston, Harton Academy, Houghton Kepier, Kingsmeadow, Lord Lawson of Beamish, Monkwearmouth, Oxclose, Shotton Hall, Staindrop, St Johns, St Thomas Moore, Washington and Whickham.

Bradford commented: “It was fantastic to see so many girls along playing rugby for their school.

“Despite the sun hiding away it was a great afternoon with entertaining rugby on display.

“It was all about the schools and players having fun and enjoying an afternoon of rugby.”

As well as lots of young players enjoying playing, the beach festival also welcomed ten recently qualified level one referees from East Durham College and two from Durham Johnston through the Durham County Schools Union Young Match Officials Programme to help referee the games.

Bradford added: “The young match official programme with Durham County has allowed us to fund over thirty level one qualifications of recent.

“Having young officials at events like this are essential as they would not be able to go ahead otherwise.

“It is also a great environment for them to learn within and build their confidence.”

You can see photos of the event by Sally Evans, here

By Clarissa Murphy