Leicester Tigers launch programme to get more Asian women into rugby

Leicester Tigers are launching a new programme to encourage more Asian women into rugby union. Premiership Rugby has announced that additional investment is going to be made in its ground-breaking Project Rugby programme to improve the diversity of women and girls playing the sport regularly.

The investment, from the Asian Sports Foundation and Sport England, will enable Premiership Rugby clubs to specifically target and engage female players from a range of ethnic backgrounds. The aim is to transition up to 200 new female players into local rugby clubs by this summer.

As part of the drive, Leicester Tigers are starting free, touch rugby sessions for young Asian girls and women. Amanda Jones, women and girls rugby development officer for Leicester Tigers, spoke to LeicestershireLive about the programme, and the club's new women's team.

She said: “Leicester Tigers has always been a male professional rugby team, so we are bringing in a women's rugby team next season. Part of my job is increasing girls participation in rugby in the Leicestershire area."

"Because of Covid, there's been quite a drop in numbers all across the game. Therefore, we wanted to break the barriers and show girls that rugby is for them.

"For anyone taking up the sport, it has several psychological benefits, and especially since Covid, mental health issues have risen, as well as the anxiety of being outside and mixing social groups. Sports like rugby are all inclusive, regardless of a person's background, ability or skill level. It brings out self-confidence in people, and decreases anxiety.

"Becoming part of a team builds resilience, and we want young girls to know that they can become anything that they want. Certain sports are very niche, and only