Hornets are buzzing as new set-up proves a hit
Women's rugby is well and truly on the map in Shropshire after Telford Hornets launched female training sessions, writes Lewis Cox.
Under the guidance of Hornets coach Anthony Wiggins, the club have continued with the success and interest generated from the 02 Touch Rugby scheme in the summer that drew hundreds of women into the sport.
And the locals have been determined to beat the soggy weather and get muddied up as the female game is set to receive a boost in the wake of this year's World Cup.
Wiggins was pleasantly surprised at the turnout as many braved the elements and got involved.
He said: "I was nervous about how popular it would be.
"It's been difficult to get a men's third team together at times and some time since the club tried anything like this before.
"But it's been amazing. A mix of rugby mums, local rugby lovers and those just looking for a new challenge have turned up."
The scheme has been handed a further boost by the RFU, the sport's governing body, who have got involved by providing equipment for the sessions, such as balls and other pieces of training kit.
The new set-up have their first game pencilled in the diary for 2016 while Wiggins has challenged any local women to join the Thursday evening (7.30pm) sessions at Telford Hornets' Town Park Ground.
Other coaches at the club have also been involved to support Wiggins, and he added: "We had 22 at the last session despite appalling weather and difficult conditions underfoot.
"The ladies have made swift progress. Mud and rain has galvanised their resolve, not dampened it. They're having a hoot!"
