Bristol Bears Women
Bristol, Bristol
Premier Women's Rugby side backed by Bristol Bears, playing high-quality rugby at the Shaftesbury Park arena.
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Searching for ladies rugby clubs near me? Women's rugby is one of the fastest-growing parts of the game, and most areas now have a club with a women's or ladies' team. This page lists the women's clubs in our directory and explains how to get started.
Premiership Women's Rugby
The top flight of women's rugby union in England launched as the Premier 15s in 2017 and became Premiership Women's Rugby in 2023. As a result, fans can now watch elite women's rugby across the country.
Elite Women's Rugby Clubs
Community Clubs With Ladies' Teams
Finding Ladies Rugby Clubs Near Me
Ladies rugby clubs near me are easier to find than ever, because so many community clubs now run women's teams. First, check the clubs listed above, then use the area pages below.
How to Start Playing Women's Rugby
Most community clubs welcome complete beginners, and many run social or beginner sessions for new players. So you do not need any experience to get started.
To find ladies rugby clubs near me, first check the nearest clubs using the area pages below. Then contact them to ask whether they run a women's team and when it trains.
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We are adding women's team information for more clubs. If your club has a ladies' team, claim your listing to tell us.
How to find ladies rugby clubs near me
To find ladies rugby clubs near you, search your town in our directory and look for clubs with a women's or ladies' section. Many community clubs run a women's team alongside their men's sides. Contact the club and ask when the women's squad trains.
- Search by town. Use the search on our homepage.
- Check for a women's section. Not every club has one, so ask before you go.
- Try a session. Most women's teams welcome complete beginners.
- Ask about contact levels. Many clubs offer touch or tag rugby first.
- Register. The club registers you with the governing body once you play.
Women's rugby levels: from grassroots to Premiership Women's Rugby
Women's rugby in England runs from Premiership Women's Rugby at the top to community leagues for local ladies' teams. Professional sides such as Bristol Bears Women, Harlequins Women and Saracens Women sit above hundreds of amateur women's teams across the UK.
- Elite: Premiership Women's Rugby clubs, e.g. Bristol Bears Women, Harlequins Women and Saracens Women.
- Community: women's teams at local clubs, playing in regional leagues.
- Rugby league: many amateur rugby league clubs also run women's and girls' teams.
In practice: the nearest ladies' team may be at a club that is not the nearest club overall. Search a wider area if the closest club has no women's section.
What to expect at your first women's rugby session
Your first women's rugby session will usually start with a warm-up, handling drills and a gentle introduction to contact. Coaches expect beginners, so you will not be thrown into full tackling. Bring boots, a gum shield and kit you can move in, plus a water bottle.
- Kit: boots, a gum shield, shorts and a top. Most clubs lend a training bib.
- Fitness: you do not need to be fit to start; training builds it.
- Safety: ask how the club teaches tackling and manages head injuries.
Sources and further reading
Quick Answers
Women's Rugby FAQs
Can I play women's rugby as a complete beginner?
Yes, you can. In fact, most clubs welcome beginners and many run sessions designed for new players.
What is the top women's rugby league in England?
Premiership Women's Rugby is the top flight. It launched as the Premier 15s in 2017.
How do I find ladies rugby clubs near me?
Start with the area pages on this site, then contact your nearest clubs. Ask whether they run a women's team and when it trains.
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