Keswick RFC has been awarded £10,000 from Royal London and The British & Irish Lions to help grow its women's and girls' rugby section. The Cumbrian club is one of four community clubs across the UK and Ireland recognised for efforts to promote the women's and girls' game.
Award recognises community commitment
Keswick RFC's dedication to the area has seen the club promote playing sides across contact and touch rugby, while also creating opportunities for women and girls to become coaches and referees. Leanne Grave, 48, a representative for the women's and girls' section at Davidson Park in the Lake District, spoke about the club's success in building community spirit through sport.
“I’m proud that we can keep players and keep women and girls smiling,” Grave said. “We’ve managed to keep girls playing throughout and connect the teams together, so when the girls feel ready to move up, they’re blended. We do the same thing up to the women’s section from the under-18s, with social events so everyone gets used to being around each other. We have a one club atmosphere.”
Funding for grassroots growth
The Championing Women & Girls’ Rugby Award, now in its third year, provides funding to Keswick RFC (England), Fethard & District RFC (Ireland), Caithness RFC (Scotland) and Clwb Rygbi Y Bala (Wales), each receiving a trophy and a £10k grant. Royal London, the UK’s largest customer-owned pensions, protection and investment company, announced the winners in partnership with The British & Irish Lions, with the four clubs sharing a £40k fund for 2026.
The grants reflect Royal London's commitment as Founding Partner of the first Lions Women’s Team to invest in grassroots rugby and support future Lions Women’s players. The award recognises clubs in each Home Union that have broken down barriers through inclusion policies, community outreach and a desire to bring more women and girls into the game.
Plans for indoor facility
Shaunagh Brown, Rugby Ambassador for Royal London and award judge, praised Keswick for its trailblazing efforts. “What really stood out to me about Keswick RFC was the way they’ve embedded themselves in their wider community, from working with the local WI to their beer festival and half marathon, while building a brilliant pathway for women and girls from U6s all the way through to 1st XV rugby,” she said.
“Strong numbers, female coaches, female referees and a real sense that this isn’t just about getting girls into rugby but keeping them there and giving them somewhere to belong makes them deserving winners for this year’s award. Now they’re looking to convert a squash court into an indoor training facility for performance and strength and conditioning, and the £10k funding is going to play a huge part in making that happen. This is exactly what grassroots rugby should be about: community, opportunity and creating pathways that actually last. Huge congratulations, Keswick. Go and build something brilliant.”
