Stowmarket RUFC youngster Violet has enjoyed a summer to remember, representing the Midlands Tigers U12 Girls at the England Touch Nationals and becoming part of the first ever Tigers U12 Girls squad.

It's an achievement we're incredibly proud of at Stow, but it also shows exactly why creating more opportunities for girls to play rugby at Phoenix Park matters.

From Stowmarket to the Midlands Tigers

Violet's rugby journey started much closer to home.

Watching her brother play from a young age inspired her to give rugby a go herself, and she quickly fell in love with the game.

"The thing I love most about rugby is playing with my friends, tackling people much bigger than me and how everyone works as a team."

Earlier this year, Violet's dad spotted trials for the Midlands Tigers on social media. She attended the first national squad trial in Norwich on 10 May before being invited to further trials in Peterborough in June.

Then came the news she had been hoping for.

"I was over the moon when I got told I was selected for the Midlands Tigers U12 Girls squad. I couldn't wait to play."

Violet joined the squad for monthly training sessions in Peterborough, developing her touch rugby skills alongside players from across the region.

Stepping Up an Age Group

Her first opportunity to put that training into practice came at the Junior Touch Cup in Leamington Spa.

Despite being an U12 player, Violet stepped up to play alongside the U14s, holding her own against older and bigger players as the team finished an impressive third overall.

It was another step in her development ahead of the biggest event of the summer: the England Touch Nationals.

A Weekend to Remember

Seven teams competed in the U12 competition over two days, with Violet making an immediate impact by being named Player of the Match in the Tigers' opening game.

After finishing the first day in sixth place, the Tigers responded brilliantly on day two.

A 3-3 draw was followed by a huge 7-0 victory, moving the team into fourth place and securing a spot in the semi-finals.

There they faced the first-placed Sharks and narrowly missed out in a 2-1 defeat.

The Tigers then finished their tournament with a 3-3 draw against West Wildcats in the plate game, with the Wildcats taking the result under the competition rules having scored first.

For Violet, however, the weekend was about far more than the final standings.

"I had an awesome experience at Nationals. I was so delighted that I got to be part of the first ever Midlands Tigers U12 Girls squad."

Bringing New Skills Back to Stow

Playing touch rugby has also given Violet another way to develop the skills she can bring back into the traditional game.

The speed of the ball, creating space, exploiting gaps and constantly reorganising defensively have all helped develop her understanding of rugby.

Violet and her family would encourage other young players to give touch rugby a try during the off-season too, with the fitness, handling and decision-making offering plenty that transfers back into the full game.

And Violet certainly isn't short of ambition for where rugby might take her next.

"In the future I would love to play for Bristol Bears and eventually be a winger for the Red Roses. I would like to achieve being the best rugby player in the world one day."

We certainly aren't going to tell her not to dream big!

Why the Scarlets Matter

Violet's achievement comes at a particularly exciting time for girls' rugby at Stowmarket RUFC.

This season sees the launch of the Stowmarket Scarlets, our first dedicated U12 Girls rugby team at Phoenix Park.

For years, girls like Violet have discovered a love for rugby at Stow. Now we want to make sure there is a clear place for them to continue playing, developing, making friends and seeing just how far the sport could take them.

Violet's summer is a brilliant example of the opportunities rugby can create when a young player is given the chance to play, challenge themselves and believe they belong in the sport.

Some will simply want to turn up and play rugby with their friends.

Others might one day want to follow Violet into representative rugby.

And perhaps one day we'll even see a Scarlet pull on a Red Roses shirt.

Whatever their ambition, we want Phoenix Park to be somewhere that journey can begin.

Congratulations, Violet. Everyone at Stowmarket RUFC is incredibly proud of you.

And to the next generation of girls thinking about giving rugby a go: your place at Stow is waiting.

Everybody Welcome. Every Player Plays.
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