WEST Craven Warriors are adding a feminine touch to rugby league by forming a ladies team and setting up a girls section.

The Barnoldswick-based club, formed in 1994, is welcoming players of all abilities to join the ladies set-up who will play in the Women’s Rugby League Conference this summer.

And early signs have been positive in the opening training sessions.

“There have been a number of ladies who have asked if we were going to set up a team for them,” said club chairman Richard Wilkinson.

“A lot already play for other teams but were getting fed up of having to travel so far to play.

“So we set up a Facebook page, printed off a few flyers and the response has been very positive.

“We’ve had 14 or 15 players at each of our training sessions and there are more to come.”

Wilkinson said it doesn’t matter if new recruits are experienced campaigners or have not picked up a rugby ball.

“The ability and experienced is mixed and we welcome everyone,” he said.

“We have players who have played for some time while others are mums of some of our younger players who wanted to give it a go.”

Wilkinson is now looking to the long term rather than short term future for the club’s latest initiative.

“Potentially we have a good squad but it is hard to say how well we will do because we don’t know what we are up against.

“But our aim is to set up and sustain a team for many years to come.

“It would be good to do well in the summer but the most important thing is to get the ladies team up and running.”

There is already a large female presence at the club with a number of young girls already playing in it’s mixed junior teams.

And Catherine Wilkinson, Richard’s wife, has been a coach at the club for the last 10 years and will take over that role for the ladies team.

“We were always looking to set up a girls section because the girls we have will be too old to play in a mixed team next season,” added Richard Wilkinson.

“The aim is to have teams at under 12s, under 14s and under 16s.”

  • Anyone interested in joining either the ladies or girls teams should contact Richard Wilkinson on 07731 112334 or email chubbyrugby@btinternet.com