Oakmeadians rugby club holds first joint training session for men and women

Oakmeadians RFC, Bournemouth, have held their first inclusive training session where the men’s and women’s senior teams train at the same time.

Last Thursday, 21 February, both the senior men’s and ladies’ first teams trained together at Oakmeadians’ training ground, at Meyrick Park in Bournemouth.

The aim of the combined training sessions is to boost inclusivity within the rugby club, explained club president, Andrew Walton: “It’s all trying to build everything and mould everything into feeling like we’re all part of the same club.”

There is no contact training between the men’s and women’s teams, however, the different coaches swap between the two.

The more they enjoy it the more they’re going to keep on doing it, the more they do it the better they are going to get”

“We needed to get more variety in the coaching for the ladies’ team, it was almost logistics really. They’re all volunteers so there’s only so many times a week they can be down here, so by bringing them all together, we can get some coaching across the sections.

“Hopefully these training sessions will improve the coaching experience for all the players. The more they enjoy it the more they’re going to keep on doing it, the more they do it the better they are going to get.”

Important year:

The Six Nations is currently underway, and the Rugby World Cup will be held in Japan this Autumn.

Andrew hopes this will inspire others to take up the sport: “Come give it a go. That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to provide the opportunity for anybody, whatever their standard, to come and play rugby.”

Watch the video here by Buzz Reporter Joshua Taylor