GIRLS’ rugby in Scotland has arguably never had a higher profile than it does in 2022 – and Marr Rugby Club in Troon is hoping to use girl power to attract more young ladies to play the game.

Set up in May 2021, the Marr junior girls’ team has since gone from strength to strength, attracting players from all across South Ayrshire and beyond to learn key rugby skills and to pick up the key attributes of being part of a team.

Around 50 girls from across the area, aged from P1 to P6, regularly attend training sessions, while the older members of the squad have also made a name for themselves at matches and rugby festivals on home turf and beyond.

The squad also hosted its first mini girls’ rugby festival in March.

Coaches Billy McClean and Stuart Benzie, who jointly won this year’s Scottish Rugby’s Glasgow South Volunteer of the Year award, are encouraging all girls aged from P1 to P6 in the area to give it a go and see if rugby is the sport for them.

They said: “It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, keep fit, make new friends and most importantly have fun.”

On top of their own training sessions, matches and festivals, the Marr girls were also given the chance to build on their team spirit when they were invited to the recent Scotland v France match in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations Championship.

Sixteen Marr girls were given the honour of being flag bearers, welcoming the team coaches to the ground, and appearing live on TV for the teams’ national anthems.

Some of the girls were interviewed live on TikTok and were able to meet the social media sensation Kurtious. They also met the players after the match, which France won 28-3.

Recently, the team won the chance to take part in a bespoke training session with Scotland men’s international Hamish Watson and members of the Edinburgh Rugby squad.

Eighteen Marr girls travelled to Murrayfield on April 13 for the one-off session, learning new skills and afterwards meeting some of the Edinburgh players and picking up a few autographs for their collection.

Holly, aged 10, said: “I love rugby because I get to tackle, it’s good exercise and I have lots of fun with my friends.”

Junior girls’ training takes place every Sunday from 4-5pm at Marr’s home ground at Fullarton Park on Isle of Pin Road in Troon.

And if you – or someone you know – is interested in finding out more about what Marr’s junior girls’ squad has to offer, you won’t have long to wait, for the club is hosting a ‘come and try ‘ session at Fullarton Park from 4-5pm on Sunday, May 8 for any girls in P1-P6.

No previous experience of rugby is required. For more information, contact Colin Sturgeon at marrrugbydev@gmail.com.