SRM West Cumbria

17/09/2026

It’s been a great start to the term with delivery at Bookwell School and a great day at Cumbria Schools Games with The Whitehaven Academy and Hensingham Primary School.

If you haven’t sorted your rugby sessions for the coming year drop me a message 🏉

15/07/2026

"Best PE lesson ever!"

Shouted at me, completely unprompted, by a Year 5 who does not usually engage with PE. Never mind enjoy it.

It has been a full last week of term. Sports day. After school clubs. A whole school engagement day. Sessions with 1st Hensingham Scouts. But that one sentence, from that one child, is the moment I am carrying into summer.

Because here is the bigger picture. Fewer than half of children in England get the sixty minutes of daily activity they need. And the ones missing out most are so often the ones who already believe sport is not for them. The ones at the back. The ones who have quietly learned to opt out.

That Year 5 was one of them. Until last week.

It does not take elite pathways or fancy kit to change how a child feels about moving their body. It takes a session built around fun, belonging and small wins. It takes an adult who notices the child at the back and plans for them, not just the sporty ones.

One lesson will not change a life. But it can change a belief. And the beliefs children form about sport at nine and ten tend to stick for decades.

So this is my ask to every teacher, coach and volunteer heading into the new school year. Plan for the child who does not usually join in. Make them your measure of success.

Because "best PE lesson ever" from a reluctant Year 5 beats any medal table.

What is the moment from your term that you are carrying into summer?

01/07/2026

The typical Cumbrian weather has caused a few issues over the past couple of weeks 😬

First rain had me cancelling events then the heat 🥵 I hope you’ve all coped okay and managed to enjoy the sunshine while we had it.

After school clubs have still been on and we’ve adjusted activities to suit the weather and the spaces available where needed.

And we had great fun at Hensingham sports day yesterday doing sessions for all teams across the morning 🏉

12/06/2026

If anyone is interested in trying rugby come and give it a go 🏉

Girls Introduction to Rugby Starting on Friday

Curious about rugby but not sure where to start?

We’re launching a fun and friendly 4-Week Introduction to Rugby Programme designed for girls who want to give rugby a try in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Whether she’s never picked up a rugby ball before or has had a go at school, this programme is all about building confidence, learning new skills, making friends and having fun.

No experience is needed and all abilities are welcome. Ages 9 and up.

If your daughter enjoys being active, meeting new people and trying new things, we’d love to welcome her along.

Starting 12th June
6.30 - 7.30pm
Egremont Rugby Union
Bleach Green
Egremont
CA22 2NL
Contact Karen Whybrow
07761336140

Share with a parent who has a daughter that might love to give rugby a go!

10/06/2026

What a fun session on Monday evening with Seascale Squirrel Scouts. They showed excellent ability and it was such fun doing animal moves and playing in the sunshine ☀️

Thank you to my awesome helper too 💜

09/06/2026

A great start to Summer term last week with CPD delivery, a great engagement day for all pupils at Orgill Primary School and after school clubs starting 🏉✨

21/05/2026

When we remove barriers, we open the door to children’s potential ✨

For me, rugby has never just been about the traditional 15-a-side full contact game. Rugby can be so much more than that when we choose to deliver it in a flexible, inclusive and people-first way.

That’s one of the things that is so great about T1 Rugby. It creates opportunities for all children (all people) to take part, feel successful and enjoy the game regardless of age, experience or ability.

One of my after school clubs currently has 12 children ranging from ages 3 to 11. Different ages. Different abilities. Different confidence levels. And yet every single child joins in, plays together and enjoys the sessions.

Some children need more support. Some need more challenge. Some need freedom to explore and play in their own way.

That’s okay.

As coaches and educators, I think our job is to adapt the game to the children, not expect the children to adapt to the game.

When we remove pressure, rigid expectations and unnecessary barriers, something brilliant happens, children grow in confidence, they connect, they move, they laugh and they discover what they can do instead of focusing on what they can’t.

That’s the kind of rugby experience I want to create in every session.

Flexible. Enjoyable. Inclusive. A place where every child feels they belong.

If this is something you’d like to see happening in your school drop me a message and let’s have a chat 🏉

17/05/2026

Another week doing one of the things I genuinely love💜

This week has been a brilliant mix of delivery, learning and growth.

The after school clubs continue to build momentum with more young people getting involved, growing in confidence and experiencing the game in a fun, inclusive way. Watching rugby click for children who maybe didn’t think the sport was for them will never get old.

Midweek I headed to Worcester for the SRM meeting with the wider team from across the country. It was inspiring to hear the ideas, plans and vision for the future of the game from the governing body and to spend time with people all working towards the same goal, growing rugby in the right way.

There’s something really powerful about being surrounded by people who care deeply about participation, opportunity and creating positive experiences for young players.

Then to round the week off, on Sunday I completed my England Rugby Coaching Award 👊 A proud moment and another step forward in continuing to develop my coaching, knowledge and delivery to support players, schools and clubs across West Cumbria.

Feeling very grateful for the opportunities this role continues to bring and excited for what’s ahead.

05/05/2026

Not sure if rugby is her thing? That’s exactly why this is for her!

This Saturday 9th May, Egremont RUFC Girls are creating a space where girls can come along, have a go and just enjoy it.

No pressure. No experience needed. No expectations.

Just running, laughing, learning something new and building confidence along the way

This Girls Try Rugby Event is all about giving them the chance to
✨ try something different
✨ make new friends
✨ feel part of a team
✨ and discover just how fun rugby can be

We’re keeping the fun going with crafts and Women’s Six Nations after so you can enjoy a whole afternoon of connection and play.

📍 Egremont RUFC, Bleach Green
🗓 9th May
⏰ 12:30–2pm (followed by crafts & W6 Nations rugby)

If you’ve got a daughter, granddaughter, niece, or know a girl who might love this (even if she’s not sure yet) bring her along.

Sometimes all it takes is one afternoon to spark something special ✨

Drop me a message if you have any questions

24/04/2026

What an awesome day of T1 Rugby 💜🏉

67 girls, sunshine, loads of rugby being played and a really good feel from start to finish.

The morning skill zones were brilliant, the girls just getting stuck in, trying things, supporting each other. Then the mini 6 Nations this afternoon brought it all together.

So much effort, so much teamwork, and some really great rugby being played.

I have to say a massive thank you to our sports leaders 🙌 They were incredible all day. Helping run stations, keeping things organised, supporting the girls. They made everything flow so smoothly and stepped up.

What I loved most wasn’t just the rugby, it was how the girls showed up for each other.

Encouraging teammates. Showing respect, listening. Playing together. And enjoying it.

That’s what rugby should look like and that’s why it matters.

I’m just really proud of how the whole day came together.

Thank you to everyone involved and Egremont RUFC Girls for hosting 😊

I’m already excited for the next one in June!

RFU North Community Game Development