Market Harborough Rugby Club’s ladies section has received the support of a local business in time for their upcoming tour. Apple Tree Communications (ATC) Ltd is a copywriting company owned and run by local woman, Kathryn Swinglehurst, who is sponsoring the Under 18s and Under 15s girls on their forthcoming tour to Wales.

Kathryn said: “As a newly established business, I was keen to get involved with the local community. I’m also a big fan of the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign so I’m delighted to help the teams with sponsorship for their Welsh tour.”

The trip to the Gower Peninsula in South Wales next month will see both Harborough teams taking on opponents from Wattstown RFC in the Rhondda Valley. Women’s rugby is a rapidly growing area and Market Harborough Rugby Club has a successful track record in the development of female players, with current England International U20 and Tyrells Premiership player, Tabitha Copson, amongst their graduates.

Yvonne Copson, Director of Women’s and Girls rugby at the club said: “We are delighted to have received the support of Apple Tree Communications and it’s another step to support the growing profile of women’s and girls’ rugby. The sport is great for strength, fitness and teamwork skills. Both of the teams work hard on the pitch, and flourish in the sociable, friendly and respectful environment it provides.”

Three of the club’s U18 girls have recently progressed to the Centre of Excellence in the development pathway and twelve of its female players also play at county level for Leicestershire. The county captains at U18 and U15 level are also Harborough players.

For more information on girls’ rugby in Market Harborough, including U13s for girls and mixed rugby to U9 level, please visit www.mhrufc.co.uk.