Seventeen-year-old Ella Russell remembers struggling to find enough teammates for her rugby team. Her story underscores a growing push among advocates to increase resources and support for girls’ rugby.
Call for more rugby opportunities for girls

Key Takeaways:
- A teenage player, Ella Russell, highlights the difficulty of finding enough teammates
- Girls’ rugby remains underrepresented, pointing to a broader issue in women’s sports
- Advocates call for more support and more teams for young female athletes
- The story originates from a BBC report through Yahoo! News
- The sport’s growth signals a forward outlook for increased participation
A Call for More Opportunities
Efforts to expand rugby opportunities for girls are gaining momentum, according to a recent report. The story, sourced from BBC and published on Yahoo! News, underscores a growing demand for additional resources, teams, and support.
A Young Athlete’s Perspective
Seventeen-year-old player Ella Russell has become a leading voice in this effort, recounting the obstacles she faced early on: “When I started playing it was hard to find enough players for a team.” Her experience reflects a broader challenge in many communities, where interest may be high but the infrastructure for girls’ rugby remains limited.
Why More Opportunities Matter
For advocates, addressing these shortages is about more than filling rosters—it means encouraging young women to develop athletic skills, confidence, and sportsmanship through the game of rugby. By creating more teams and training programs, supporters hope to foster an inclusive environment where girls who love the sport can readily join.
Looking Ahead
While obstacles remain, discussions around expanding girls’ rugby are igniting enthusiasm among players, parents, and sports organizations. As the sport continues to evolve, stories like Ella Russell’s may serve as catalysts, highlighting both the challenges and the immense potential in bringing more girls onto the rugby field.