Hundreds of young rugby players set to shine at the largest-ever Premiership Women’s Rugby Grassroots Festival

HUNDREDS OF young girls and women aged 11-18 will take centre stage at next month’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Final, as PWR’s biggest-ever grassroots festival is staged.

Teams from each of the nine PWR clubs will converge on the StoneX Stadium on 16 March to enjoy a morning of rugby and friendship before the PWR Final kicks off at 3pm.

This exciting grassroots event, the largest of its kind in PWR history, aims to inspire the next generation of rugby players while showcasing the sport's inclusivity and community spirit.

The festival will provide young athletes with the unique opportunity to engage in a morning of friendly competition, all while enjoying the camaraderie of their peers from across the league.

The full line-up is:

Bristol Bears - North Bristol RFC and Dings Crusaders

Exeter Chiefs - Newton Abbot RFC

Gloucester-Hartpury - Trafalgar School and Gloucester Hurricanes

Harlequins - Cobham RFC

Leicester Tigers – Dronfield and Leicester Forest East

Loughborough Lightning - Old Northamptonians and Bugbrooke

Sale Sharks – Manchester RFC and Chester RFC

Saracens – Saracens Sonics, Suffolk Baabaas, Woodford and Shelford

Trailfinders - Ealing

New chapter💫 https://t.co/HanitS2TZj

— Emma Hardy (@_emma_hardy) July 25, 2024

One of those tasked with organising the Festival is Saracens player Emma Hardy. As the Saracens Women’s Community Engagement Executive, Hardy is tasked with creating opportunities for women and girls by organising festivals, providing matchday experiences and running rugby camps.

Hardy has recently been organising activity for players from under 12 through to under 18, with all nine Premiership Women’s Rugby teams set to be in attendance.

“I love working with the next generation of players, providing them opportunities for them, and letting them experience elite rugby locally,” she said. “I’m very passionate about that. There are challenges when it comes to being a full-time worker and playing elite rugby, but I've got a lot better at that over the years.”

Following the festival, the focus will shift to the thrilling PWR Final, where the top two teams of the season will battle it out for the prestigious title. Fans can expect an action-packed day of rugby, culminating in a show-stopping final that will inspire players and spectators alike.

“We are incredibly excited to bring together so many young people for this historic grassroots event,” said PWR’s Strategy and Operations Director, Amy Kimber-Roberts. “It’s an opportunity for the next generation of rugby stars to not only enjoy the sport but to be part of something bigger – a celebration of women’s rugby, teamwork, and the sense of community that our sport fosters.”

The festival will run in the morning, providing a platform for youth teams to compete, develop, and bond over their shared love of the game. From passing drills to touch rugby matches, the day will be packed with activities designed to foster skills and teamwork, all in a fun and supportive environment.

With women’s rugby growing in popularity and diversity, the festival also aims to highlight the importance of grassroots initiatives in nurturing the next wave of talent. Young players will have the chance to meet PWR role models, take part in coaching clinics, and enjoy an unforgettable experience in one of PWR’s most exciting settings.

Tickets for the festival and PWR Final are available now, with a special emphasis on making the day accessible to families and local communities from www.thepwr.com/final

Join us on 16th March at StoneX Stadium to cheer on the future stars of rugby and witness the excitement of the Premiership Women’s Rugby Final.

The U12 and U14 festivals (made up of representative teams from the nine PWR clubs) will be 10-a-side and full contact.

The U16 activity will be open to all via application via https://saracens.com/the-pwr-final-2025-girls-u16s-open-training-session/

The U18 activity will feature four teams local to Saracens.