Like many girls, Wisdom, a year 8 pupil at Oasis Academy Shirley Park believed that rugby was too rough and not a sport for girls, reinforced by a lack of visible female role models. These perceptions have been quickly changed thanks to Project Rugby.
Project Rugby, the award-winning participation programme delivered by PREM Rugby in partnership with Gallagher UK and England Rugby, has a powerful mission: to get more schools playing rugby across the country, transforming young lives along the way. Harlequins Foundation is supporting this mission, working with schools in its local community to introduce the sport to children who might not otherwise pick up a ball.
At Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Project Rugby has reshaped how pupils, staff and families view the game. Before the programme, rugby was not a regular feature of the girls’ PE curriculum. Few had experienced contact rugby and staff also lacked confidence delivering the contact elements of the game.
This all changed when the Harlequins Foundation introduced Project Rugby. Same gender coaches created a safe, supportive space where girls could develop skills without fear or embarrassment. Seeing female coaches lead sessions was transformational, reinforcing that rugby is a sport for everyone. Engagement was immediate and enthusiasm high.
Wisdom’s story:
One student who flourished is Year 8 pupil Wisdom, who before Project Rugby described herself as ‘quiet and not very talkative… usually staying in the background.’ Although she enjoyed sport, she was unsure about contact rugby and had never seen women playing in her community.
From her first session, her perspective shifted: ‘I thought straight away, this is going to be fun,’ she said. ‘I love the tackling, chasing and scoring.’
With encouragement from her coach Emily, Wisdom’s confidence grew week by week. She began leading activities and stepping outside her comfort zone.
‘I’ve come out of my shell a bit,’ she explained. ‘I would usually stay in the background, but now I’ve tried leading sometimes and it feels really good.’
Wisdom has now watched women’s rugby and can see herself continuing in the sport. With strong support from her family, she has the desire to pursue future school and club opportunities.
Mr Max Adolphe, teacher at Oasis Academy Shirley Park, added; ‘We’ve seen the wider benefits across our students. Wisdom has become more vocal, motivated, and enthusiastic, both in sessions and beyond. The impact is undeniable – rugby has become more than a lesson; it’s a platform for growth.’
Emily Maguire, Project Rugby Coach at Harlequins, said; ‘We’ve seen firsthand that rugby builds character, resilience and hope for a brighter future. Through fun, inclusive sessions in familiar school settings, we work alongside teachers to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and unlock the potential of incredible young people.’
