Valkyries Rugby Hub

🏉 Girls U16 Emerging Player Programme is back for 2026/27! 💪
Are you a talented female rugby player heading into U15 or U16? The WRU Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is your chance to develop your skills, build confidence and take the next step on the Women & Girls’ Performance Pathway.

✨ Weekly Monday evening training
🏉 Playing opportunities
📚 Player education & development

The programme runs alongside your club, hub and/or school rugby and begins in late August/early September.
Ready to take your game to the next level? Sign up now! 👇
https://www.wru.wales/2026/08/the-girls-u16s-emerging-player-programme-epp-is-returning-for-season-26-27/

❤️

🏉 THE SEASON AHEAD….

Rugby season is back but the game is changing. This isn’t just about our club, it’s about every club, in every town and every community.

Rugby has always been a tough old game but right now, keeping clubs going can feel even tougher.

Players have work. Families have commitments. Life is busy. Getting players onto a pitch every Saturday isn’t as easy as it once was.

Fixtures get called off. Teams struggle for numbers. Volunteers are harder to find. And off the pitch, things have changed too.

People go out less. Drinking habits have changed. Money is tighter. Saturdays look different. Fewer people automatically head down to theclub just because there’s a game on.

None of that is anyone’s fault but it does mean our rugby clubs need us more than ever because if we’re not careful, in another five, ten or fifteen years, what will grassroots rugby look like?

A rugby club isn’t just 15 first team players on a Saturday.
It’s the minis pulling on a jersey for the first time.
It’s the coach standing in the rain on a freezing Tuesday night.
It’s the volunteer marking the pitch last minute as it’s rained all week.
It’s the person serving behind the bar.
It’s the supporter shouting from the touchline.
It’s the friendships, the changing-room banter, the bus journeys and the stories that get told for decades
But none of it survives without people.

So this season, wherever your club is, whatever your sport is

🔴 If you can play — play.
⚫ If you can volunteer — help.
🔵 If you can coach — get involved.
🔴 If there’s a home game — come along.
⚫ Buy a drink, a pie or a coffee and put a few pounds back into your club.
🔵 Bring the kids. Bring a friend. Bring someone who hasn’t been for years.
🔴 Support the sponsors who support grassroots rugby.
⚫ Share your club’s posts and help spread the word.

You don’t have to give up every Saturday or spend a fortune. Sometimes simply turning up matters.
As we have seen in towns when a fixture disappears, a team folds or a clubhouse closes, getting it back is incredibly difficult.

Grassroots rugby has survived for generations because communities have stood behind it. This season please help
PLAY FOR IT.
VOLUNTEER FOR IT.
SUPPORT IT.
TURN UP FOR IT.

🏉 Your club needs you - whichever badge you wear.

🦏 THE RHINOS ARE BACK! TRAINING STARTS TOMORROW! 🦏

Ready to get stuck in? First session back is TOMORROW — Wednesday! 🎉

⏰ 7pm – 9pm
📍 Wrexham Rugby Club, Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9TY

Come along and join the Crash! 🦏✅ Whether you’re brand new to rugby, haven’t picked up a ball before, or you’re returning — everyone is welcome! 💚❤️

absolutely no pressure, just come down, have fun, meet brilliant people, and give rugby a try! No fancy kit needed at first — just wear comfy gear and bring a smile 😄👟

We’re an inclusive, welcoming bunch — all backgrounds, abilities, and identities welcome. Come see what we’re all about! 🏉✨

Tag a mate who needs to get off the sofa! 👇

Everyone at Valkyries is so proud of our own Evie Ellis for making the squad 💜💛🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Huge congratulations to Valkyries own Evie Ellis on being called up for the Wales U18 development squad 👏🏼💜💛🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

🏉 Girls Rugby at Shotton Steel RFC (Ages 12–15) 🏉

Our girls are enjoying a well-earned summer break until Saturday 23rd August, but why wait until then?

🌟 Come along for a fun pre-season kick-about! 🌟

📅 Wednesday 5th August
⏰ 3:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Ty Calon – Home of Shotton Steel RFC

If you're aged 12–15, whether you've played before or you're completely new to rugby, we'd love to see you there!

💙 No experience necessary
🏉 All abilities welcome
🙌 Bring a friend and give it a try!
😊 Meet the team, have fun, and see what girls' rugby is all about.

Shotton Steel RFC Girls
Forged in Steel. 💙🏉

🦏 WRECSAM RHINOS ARE BACK! PRE-SEASON TRAINING STARTS SOON! 🦏

We’re dusting off the boots, pumping up the balls, and getting ready to run it back! 💪

🗓 First Session: Wednesday 5th August
⏰ Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
📍 Where: Wrexham Rugby Club, Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9UH

✨ EVERYONE IS WELCOME ✨
We’re North Wales’ only active inclusive rugby club – all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds, all identities. Whether you’ve played 100 games or have never held a ball, come along, have fun, make friends, and be part of the Crash (a family of Rhinos)🏳️‍🌈🏉

No pressure, no experience needed – just bring comfy kit, a bottle of water, and plenty of enthusiasm! 💜

Tag a mate who needs to come join the Rhinos! 🦏