This past weekend, we partnered with Saracens for an unforgettable day of rugby at the StoneX stadium. We provided a jam-packed day for over 90 girls, giving them the chance to receive expert coaching from Saracens, watch The Duel, and engage in an inspiring Q&A session with former Saracens Women’s player, Sonia Green (known as Sonic). Dr Emma Ross from The Well HQ also joined us in a conversation around girls sports touring, what we can do to facilitate young female athletes and how that will increase girls’ participation in sport.
This event wasn’t just about rugby – it was about bringing girls together, empowering them to continue their journey as young athletes (at any level) and starting the conversation around girls sports touring and the key role it plays in participation in sport. Our Educational Tours Specialist, Alexandra, provides an in-depth look at how this day unfolded.
The girls met the Saracens Rugby coaches on the pitch for an introduction session which was tailored for their level. We then came together to the Fez Club to meet Sonic. She shared her experience in her athletic journey and the trials and successes she has experienced. Having the opportunity to be able to ask her questions directly and hear firsthand how she overcame challenges like injury and falling out of love with sport made the idea of being a successful female athlete seem like a real, tangible goal. Working towards our goal to increase participation again.
After a group photo, the girls then hit the pitch again with Saracens coaches for dynamic training sessions. For many, it was their first ever rugby experience, and they dove in with enthusiasm. Whether learning to pass, building team spirit, or simply having fun, everyone was fully engaged, and the pitch was full of energy and new friendships as the girls worked together.
Meanwhile, staff had the absolute honour of welcoming Emma Ross, from The Well HQ, who lead the conversation about what we can do as educators, individuals and organisations to support young female athletes’ needs to foster. She emphasised the importance of touching on topics such sports bras, period supplies, kit and the unique ways hormones can impact performance. As teachers, being able to address these topics openly and appropriately will empower girls to feel confident and prepared both on and off the field. Using her experience at The Well HQ, Emma was uniquely positioned to point out the wider social and environmental factors within the schooling system that might discourage young women from thriving within the sports field – from sports kits to duties of care. All of this fed into wider, insightful conversations with attendees about how understanding the need to tailor sports education for girls extends out to the sports trips that schools run, opening up discussions on how we might all need to reconsider how tours are organized in order to support young women.
To top off this exciting day, we had fantastic seats to watch The Duel: Saracens vs. Harlequins together. There was buzzing energy throughout the stadium after the excitement of the day’s events and with the anticipation of the upcoming match! The stadium filled with energy as both teams delivered an intense and thrilling match. It was a hard-fought battle, but in the end, Harlequins claimed the victory in a nail-biting finish. The game left the students inspired by the incredible skill, teamwork, and passion on display.
On a personal level, the day wasn’t just about fixtures and skills; it was about building excitement around sports and making every girl feel SEEN. We’re thrilled to have played a role in creating lasting memories for everyone involved, from building friendships with peers from other schools to immersing in the incredible Saracens community. There were smiles all round which meant, for me, the event was a huge success. This is just the beginning of how we aim to move forward with girls sports touring at The Learning Adventure. We want to continue to offer unique experiences that blend learning, fun and inspiration to all students.
This event was just a small example of our passion and dedication to the cause. We’re not just building skills on the field; we’re helping to create a positive culture of girls sports touring in education through empowering young female athletes. We want to continue this conversation and to build and tailor our itineraries to cater to young female athletes needs and encourage more girls to stay in sport through touring!
Explore our rugby tours. Remember, all of our trips are fully customisable. If you would like to speak to an educational specialist about planning a school trip then enquire now.
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