Meet Lilly O’Toole, who is just one of the youngsters across the country who has been positively influenced through Project Rugby.

Project Rugby is a grassroots rugby programme designed to increase participation in Rugby by people from traditionally under-represented groups.

Part of a National initiative, launched by England Rugby and Premiership Rugby, it provides accessible opportunities to experience, enjoy and play rugby, across over 200 community locations within England.

The primary focus of Project Rugby is to transition new players and volunteers into local grassroots rugby clubs. The project’s innovative approach looks to utilise rugby’s core values, increasing levels of resilience and confidence among participants, as well as helping people to feel more connected to their local community.

Lilly attended every session of the after-school club during the 23/24 summer term and, after joining, decided she wanted to find and join her local rugby team. Not long after and Lilly was a member of Loughborough RFC.

Being a part of Loughborough resulted in an invite to attend a ‘pitch up and play’ event hosted by Leicestershire Rugby and, alongside fellow new players to the sport, Lilly took part in Touch Rugby for the first time.

Lilly is continuing to enjoy her rugby as part of Loughborough RFC this season and, speaking about her journey so far in the game, she said: "Rugby has had a positive impact on my life, despite not being involved in it for too long yet."

"It has changed me as a person because I get to go to a lot of new places every time I have an away match and I also have new friends now. It also showed me that I can be strong and I’m trying to get more confident because I want to do well."

Lilly’s mother, Vanessa, added: “The Impact of Lilly playing rugby has had a positive impact on the whole family. She really loves training and matches on the weekend."

"Lily seems more confident in herself and loves her friends in her team. She wants to try harder with each game and we’re so very proud of her and love watching her play for Loughborough. It has brought us closer together as a family as we all look forward to it and have met some great folks because of it."

Find out more about Project Rugby HERE.