VIDEO: Bristol Ladies Support Eagle Project Girls Rugby Festival

The programme impressed by picking up the PLAY Award at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Parliamentary Awards in 2015 and 2016 and is aimed specifically at girls in Years 8, 9 and 10, the Eagle Project is a 12-week programme designed to increase participation at a grassroots level.

"The girls have been learning a mixture of tag, touch and some contact rugby over the past few weeks," said Winterbourne International Academy PE Teacher, Melanie Greaves.

"When they first heard they would be doing some rugby there was a mixture of excitement and anxiety but as the sessions went on, they really looked forward to learning something new each week and to have 30 girls here for the festival is amazing.

"We already have a couple of club players but they would like more people to play with so hopefully this will inspire more girls to start a team and play against other schools or join a local club." 

Bristol Ladies player Lucy Herring was blown away by the skill level of the school girls after just a matter of weeks learning the sport. 

"It is absolutely fantastic, there are so many of them here and the talent is very impressive," commented Lucy. 

"You can't teach the want and desire to play the game but some of these girls certainly have it."