SWAFFHAM Rugby Club is to host a specialist Leicester Tigers rugby course aimed exclusively at girls later this month.A three-day specialist coaching event for girls has been set up to run alongside the Tigers' rugby course at Swaffham.

SWAFFHAM Rugby Club is to host a specialist Leicester Tigers rugby course aimed exclusively at girls later this month.

A three-day specialist coaching event for girls has been set up to run alongside the Tigers' rugby course at Swaffham.

Tigers' community manager Scott Clarke said: 'Mixed teams of boys and girls are allowed and encouraged in the minis sections at clubs, but there are no mixed games from the age of 13.

'This can make it difficult in terms of finding the numbers to train together and make up a full girls' team at a local level, and also to find competitive opponents within a convenient travelling distance.

'Many of these girls will have excelled as minis and become an integral part of their clubs, but it then becomes increasingly hard for them to continue to play the game and access the regular quality coaching they need to continue their development.

'Swaffham have provided that access and we are delighted to be running a three-day course specifically designed to give girls a chance to work with Tigers' community coaches and inspire them to achieve further success in the game.'

The Swaffham course will run from Wednesday to Friday, July 29 to 31 and focus on core skills and understanding.

Specific focus will also be given to ball retention and contact skills, along with handling and agility.

'This will be a great opportunity for young female players to work with some of our best coaches to really improve their game and maximise the massive potential they have to play and enjoy the game of rugby,' added Clarke.

Swaffham Rugby Club girls' development officer Ian Milligan said: 'The skills you see being developed are brilliant. The coaches are professionals who have played at incredibly high levels.

'The other side is that the players are from across the region and they form brilliant friendships which will last way beyond rugby - that's an important thing.

'It's one of only two in the UK which caters for boys and girls. We have specifically worked with them to incorporate it here because Norfolk girls' rugby is beginning to take off - with a lot of hard work from volunteers behind the scenes.

'We have several players in the England U20 squad this season and one of the girls on the course last year, Emily Davis, has been invited to be coached by England captain Maggie Alphonsi.'

Places for the course at Swaffham are limited. Book via www.leicestertigers.com/rugbycourses

For further information, contact the community department on 0116 2171 221.