Rugby club hosts county trials for region’s top girls

Top teenage talent from across Wiltshire and Dorset gathered at Melksham Rugby Club for the first round of trials for the region’s U16 girls county squad.

The first part of the assessment and training process welcomed more than 70 young players, including 13 from Melksham, competing for selection into the county setup, which operates as part of the RFU Pathway Development Group (PDG). The initiative aims to nurture high-potential local players and guide them towards professional sports pathways.

 

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Graeme Morrison, Dorset and Wiltshire RFU Girls U16 PDG Foundation Phase Manager North, said, “Being back at Melksham RFC to hold trials and training is fantastic, the facilities are great and I hope that having great facilities on hand can help us throughout the season. It’s been a fantastic start, with over 70 girls attending the first assessment session. The quality is so high among Wiltshire and Dorset players and that is testament to our grassroots clubs. Here is to a great season for Dorset and Wilts!”

A total of 13 players from Melksham Rugby Club’s U16 girls squad were put forward for the county assessments based on their performances.

Melksham U16 girls coach, Dave Fielding, said, “It was great to see some of our U16 squad have progressed to trials for county level rugby. We have such strength in depth in our squad which shows just how hard our players have worked over the last few seasons. Really proud of rugby in Melksham.”

Alongside hosting county pathway events, the club continues to expand its local community setup across all age groups. This includes girls’ and women’s rugby from U10 to 18+ seniors, boys’ and men’s teams from U10 to senior level, and mixed-gender minis rugby for younger children.