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Women’s rugby has landed at Rubislaw with training sessions having begun this month for Aberdeen Grammar Rugby's newest team.
Head coach Euan Bell is “delighted” with how things are going so far and players from all over are being encouraged to head along and get involved.
The club team was formed following discussions between Grammar and RGU Women's Rugby Club and players are now meeting on Thursday evenings and there is excitement about how things can grow moving forward.
Bell, the former Cumnock player who has been turning out for the Grammar men’s section in recent times, is heading up the coaching of the women’s team and he said: “Our first training session was on August 13 and we are delighted with the numbers we had in attendance considering it was the first ever gathering and considering that a large number of the players who have shown interest in getting involved are students who are not yet back in Aberdeen following the summer holidays.
“We have a wide range of skill levels withing the group from people who have never having played rugby before to more experienced players.
“Aberdeen Grammar have had strong connections with the Robert Gordon University men’s rugby section over the years and now we have a good link up with the RGU women’s rugby section which is brilliant because a number of those players are quite experienced and are used to playing in a team.
“There are a small number of former RGU players who have graduated within the group and it is great to see them getting a chance to come and play with their former team mates again.
“And there are a number of players from out with RGU in our group and we were delighted with the response to our recent social media posts where we added around another 10 players to the group. All are welcome, wherever you come from and whatever your rugby background.
“We currently have extremely healthy numbers within the group chat that we have set up for the team which should help drive competition as we progress through the season and we are looking forward to meeting more of the players in the coming weeks.”
The new team is set to hit the ground running in 2026-27 and will be playing in the Caledonia Aspiring Series.
Fixtures are still being confirmed and Bell added: “This is a development league and it will be a great platform to establish the team with the goal of entering more traditional competitive competitions further down the line.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Aspiring Series and are excited to get started. It is great to see more clubs starting, rebuilding or looking to develop existing women’s teams.
“And as well as taking this team forward on the pitch, we are really looking forward to integrating the women’s section as part of the wider club. It will be great to see them at senior team socials and events and the men’s players are looking forward to both supporting the women’s team from the touchline and having them at their own games when fixture schedules allow.
“Having this women’s team now will also be hugely beneficial to the members of our girls’ section who will have players to look up to and will be able to have the opportunity to play at Aberdeen Grammar beyond youth rugby in the future.
“Rugby is a game for everyone and I would encourage anybody to come along to the women’s section training sessions at Rubislaw between 7pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays whether they are an existing player looking for a new challenge, returning to rugby or looking to try rugby for the first time.
“Since joining Grammar after relocating to Aberdeen two years ago, I have found the club to be extremely welcoming and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far on and off the field.
“Any players joining the women’s team can expect the same welcome.”
* A version of this article first appeared in The Press and Journal on Wednesday
