Seven Beccles RFC Youth Girls representing Eastern Counties (Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire) took part in a London and South East Divisional Festival in Surrey.

The regional tournament was strong with age groups of U15 and U18 competing across eight counties, including Kent, Hants, Surrey, Middlesex, Essex, Sussex and Herts.

This was the first representative competition the girls had experienced and provided a taste of top level girls rugby down south.

The Beccles girls all stepped up and looked at home playing some super attacking rugby, while displaying and leading the club trademark of big tackling defensive line.

Club chairman Alan Cooper said: “Having so many reps in year two of our five-year development programme is fantastic, and the result of not only a super talented bunch of girls, but also a direct reflection of our super coaching team and team manager made of amazing supportive parents.

“Head coach Claire Phelps brings to the club tremendous rugby experience, organisation, passion and most importantly well balanced and fun training sessions. Jodi McKenzie has recently joined the coaching team, and has dual hats as branch manager of Musker McIntyre Estate Agents, the club’s youth girls primary sponsor.”

The youth girls section has 28 active players training, with aspirations to double that number over the coming 12 months,

The club’s rapid growth and success has been recognised by the RFU and it has been invited to join an RFU Development Programme that sees the RFU become hands on in terms of support on recruitment, coaching and costs.

If you are interested in trying rugby please go down to the Beccles RFC Youth Hub on Common Lane. Training is on Thursdays from 7 to 8.30pm, or if you would like further details call Caroline Ward on 07713 055479.