Empowering Young Girls Through Tag Rugby in Hextable.
Hextable, Kent, was the setting for a recent successful 12-week project by Tag Sports UK, working with Active Kent and Medway to bring the fun of tag rugby to young girls in the area.
This initiative focused on introducing the enjoyable and accessible sport of tag rugby to young girls, particularly those who were complete beginners. The main aim of the project was to provide a supportive and engaging environment where girls could learn the basic skills and rules of the game. Importantly, it also set out to address a significant issue: the negative messages that can unfortunately discourage young girls, even from as young as five, from participating in sports. These unhelpful stereotypes, suggesting they "don't belong" or "aren't good enough," can sadly affect their confidence and prevent them from experiencing all the great things about being active.
Making Every Session Count:
Over the 12 weeks, the funding from Active Kent and Medway was used effectively to ensure the project's success:
Weekly Tag Rugby Sessions: The majority of the funding directly supported the delivery of regular tag rugby sessions held in Hextable. This covered the costs of hiring suitable venues, providing the necessary tag belts and rugby balls, and ensuring qualified and enthusiastic coaches were available each week.
Proper Introductory Training for Everyone: The sessions were carefully planned to give everyone a good introduction to the game, so even girls who had never played before felt comfortable and could join in from the start. The focus was on building a solid foundation of basic tag rugby skills in a fun and relaxed way.
A Positive and Inclusive Atmosphere: A key priority was ensuring everyone felt welcome and included. Some of the funding went towards actively challenging those unhelpful stereotypes about girls in sport, creating a space where every participant felt valued, encouraged, and happy to be themselves.
Working in Partnership:
This project was made possible thanks to a partnership with Active Kent & Medway, and the Primed and Ready Academy. Their support and the funding they provided were absolutely key to us being able to deliver this valuable initiative to the young girls of Hextable.
Reaching Young Girls in Hextable:
The project specifically targeted young girls in the Hextable area, starting from the age of five. A key focus was on reaching those who were new to tag rugby, providing a positive and welcoming first experience of the sport and encouraging their ongoing involvement. By directly addressing those negative messages that can sadly stop girls from getting involved in sport, the project aimed to build their confidence and create a lasting positive experience.
This 12-week project in Hextable, delivered with the valuable support of Active Kent and Medway, has been a good example of how tag rugby can really empower young girls, boost their confidence, and challenge unhelpful stereotypes. By providing a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment, this initiative has undoubtedly encouraged a potential lifelong love of sport for many young participants in the local community.
