‘This is only the beginning’: South Wales Jets hoping to inspire next generation of girls

Around 30 young girls tried their hand at rugby league during a taster session hosted by Ystrad Mynach-based South Wales Jets.

The club, which relocated to Ystrad Mynach in 2024, has enjoyed significant success in recent years, including the men’s team winning the WRL final.

owever, the Jets are now focused on expanding opportunities for girls to get involved in the sport.

Coach Robert Coles said: “The South Wales Jets are rapidly becoming a driving force in the growth of the girls’ Rugby League pathway, setting new standards for opportunity and ambition across the region.”

The success of the taster event, which was aimed at girls in the under-12s and under-13s category, is another major stepping stone for the club.

It is hoping to set up a tournament for this age group by the end of the year, working alongside clubs from across Wales and the west of England to make this happen.

This has prompted the creation of four new teams – U12s, U13s, U14s, and U15s – which coach Coles says reflects “the incredible appetite and talent emerging in our community.”

He continued: “Our U14s and U15s have already shown their quality with a standout win over the Haydock Warriors, while our U15s made history last summer by defeating the Oulton Raidettes in the curtain raiser to the Wales vs England Women’s international.

“With this momentum behind us, the Jets are proudly leading the way in building a vibrant, competitive future for girls’ Rugby League in South Wales.”

South Wales Jets chairman Liam Price said: “Our girls taster session was an incredible success. The energy, the effort, the smiles, and most importantly, the talent on show was unreal.

“It’s clear that girls’ rugby league is growing fast, and we are right at the heart of it. This is only the beginning.”