Tag: womens rugby

BBC ALBA to show champions Corstorphine as Scottish women’s rugby is given World Cup boost

BBC ALBA is set to feature Arnold Clark Premiership champions Corstorphine’s latest challenge in the defence of their title as they travel to play Watsonians tonight (Friday 29 August), with coverage starting at 7.30pm.

The coverage is part of BBC ALBA’s plans to show the top domestic rugby competitions in Scotland for free on TV, including both the men’s and women’s Arnold Clark Premiership finals and 12 league matches throughout the 2025/26 season.

These matches will be available live and on demand on BBC ALBA, via BBC iPlayer, on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel and on bbc.co.uk/rugbaidh, with the games available worldwide on a live and on-demand basis.

Corstorphine started the defence of their title earlier this month with a hard-fought 26-17 win away to Biggar. For Watsonian FC, they will be hoping home advantage will help them bounce back from an opening day 34-17 defeat to Stirling County.

The players of all Premiership clubs were given a free weekend last week so they could take the opportunity to travel and support Scotland’s national women’s side as they made a successful start to their Rugby World Cup campaign, beating Wales 38-8.

Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said: “BBC ALBA will be showing the best of Scottish women’s rugby across the season, thanks to our renewed agreement with Scottish Rugby as the popularity of the sport continues to grow.

“Interest will, of course, also be heightened across Scotland thanks to the impressive start our national team made against Wales in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.”

Watch champions Corstorphine’s trip to Watsonians tonight live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hq7g

Next Friday (5 September), Hillhead Jordanhill will play Biggar, with live coverage on BBC ALBA again beginning at 7.30pm:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002j11h

Heriot’s Blues Women guest coach at Stewart’s Melville RFC

Heriot’s Blues Women players have been attending Stewart’s Melville RFC Lioness weekend training sessions as guest coaches.

About 15 players, aged from 8 to 15 recently took part in the hour-long practice held by Catriona Syme and Pearl Kellie, which involved fun games to develop passing and contact skills.

Both Blues Women players were part of the team to win the 2019 National League Division 1 title, with Catriona, the first Captain of the side after it was established in 2018.

As work continues at Heriot’s Rugby Club to establish a strong pathway for girls into senior rugby and the partnership with Stewart’s Melville RFC continues to remain important in developing talent.

‘‘Cat, myself and a number of other Heriot’s Blues Women players have volunteered to help develop and grow rugby for girls,’’ Pearl said.

‘‘The pathway at Heriot’s is still in the development phase and we have been working to increase the attendance numbers by reaching out to schools and linking up with other girl’s rugby programmes in North Edinburgh.’’

Catriona, a George Heriot’s School alumni, started playing the sport at Goldenacre with the Heriot’s Rugby Club mini rugby programme. ‘‘First and foremost, it’s just so great to see girls having a fun time and enjoying rugby training,’’ she said.

‘‘We would like to see Heriot’s Blues Women become one the best teams in Scotland, and aim to bring more silverware back to Goldenacre and maintain a very high standard. Developing younger players who will play for us in the future is a big part of that vision.’’

Both players believe that rugby develops younger players on and off the pitch.

‘‘It’s an exciting and fun game, which will improve fitness and confidence. It encourages teamwork, trust in your fellow players and the teammates you play with will become some of your best friends,’’ Catriona said.

‘‘What I love most about rugby and what I think separates it from other team sports is how it celebrates all different sizes and abilities. No matter your size, shape or ability there is a role in the game that you can excel at,’’ Pearl said.