A group of women in Devizes are tackling the stereotypes around playing rugby head on - and want to inspire more people to get involved.

It has been an exciting few weeks for women in sport, and the Devizes Ladies RFC is hoping that it will smash the stereotypes that women can’t play more physically demanding sports.

“Rugby is for everyone”, one of the team’s players, Helen Thorogood, said.

“When you watch it on TV you can see all of the  big hits from the professionals that have been trained for years it can be a bit daunting.

“The hits can hurt, and you do get bruises - but sometimes you look at those bruises and think, I did that.

“I did break, I get hit, I did cry but I got back up again and then I hit them back.”

The club describes the level they play to on their website as ‘serious but social’, and their practise sessions take place at Devizes Rugby Club, where they have premier floodlights, newly decorated changing rooms, a support terrace, two pitches and two bars.

They train every Wednesday night, but also offer strength and conditioning sessions throughout the week to make sure players are as healthy as possible.

Helen added: “We have such a mixture of people in the team, of all ages.

“It varies from 17 to 41, so there really isn’t an excuse. Anyone can play.”

Helen moved to Devizes knowing very few people, so wanted to join a group where she could push herself.

“People do think it’s an aggressive sport, but it’s not.

“It’s more about being part of a team, and when you have your eye on the ball and know you have to get to it- or protect you’re team mate - that’s all you’re thinking about.

“There’s a whole spectrum of personalities, and people from different backgrounds - and if you don’t want to play you can come down and cheer as we love it when we get a home crowd.”

According to World Rugby, the amount of women playing the sport has been on the rise in recent years with a 28 per cent increase in registered female players since 2017.

Both fans and players of the sport will also have something to look forward to at the end of this year, with the Rugby World Cup will also soon be taking place between October 8 - November 12 in Aotearoa, New Zealand in October.