Raider Girls

Advantage! sought to plug the gap, to provide a place for girls to have fun with rugby, learn the skills, make friendships, and have fun whilst exercising. At our peak, we reached attendances of 60 at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium, with over 200 now members of our private Facebook group. 

We have worked hard to gradually build numbers back up since the pandemic, and have received generous funding from Boost Charitable Trust, to grow numbers and target girls who lack confidence, but who need a chance to achieve their sporting potential through initiatives like this. Boost Charitable trust already fund our Raider Braves programme, and in addition, the funding has enabled us to run extra-curricular activities in secondary schools, to further grow the game, and target young people at the age groups where dropout rates are at their highest. 

In addition, we have received funding, kit, and equipment from the Rugby League Futures Programme, which will provide competitive opportunities to play rugby fixtures as part of the Rugby League’s Player Development Programme. Advantage! have also designed our own rugby kit, thanks to sponsorship from Identity, George Park and The Eric Wright Charitable Trust. 

Whilst our attendances have stabilised at 30+ each week, we have seen five of our older Raider Girls go on to train with Barrow Raiders Ladies Reserves, with some cementing a place in the first team.