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Based in North Devon, South Molton Rugby Club is home to many amazing teams including 2017-18 Junior Vase finalists, ‘Mighty Molton’. However, this isn’t a praise article for that team, but to highlight a group of Junior girls in particular, the South Molton Panthers.
The South Molton Panthers are known for their fierce determination, resilience, teamwork and passion for the game that we all love so much – rugby. In South Molton, there are 3 age groups in Junior girls section, the Under 13’s, Under 15’s and Under 18’s. Both the Under 15’s and Under 18’s compete in the South West competition, contesting to win the trophy.
The coaching staff at the club have a wealth of experience in the bank up to and including international rugby 7s being on the agenda for one of the many coaches for the teams. Not only have each of the coaches got a bucket load of experience when it comes to the coaching side of things, but they’ve also all got experience in playing the game too so they spread their knowledge extremely well to the girls.
After competing in the Minehead Pinks Day tournament for several years, the Panthers were finally recognised by Nolli Waterman (an England legend!) who was at her childhood club to watch the games unfold. Nolli chose the girls to be her team of the tournament too which was crazy! This was huge for the girls as they’d been recognised by an international great and this had boosted their determination for the next season to do better (and they did!).
Over the last couple of years, the Panthers have been recognised for their willingness to help out when needed, the most significant being their involvement with the World’s Biggest Rugby ball record set by Aramis Rugby in 2019. The Panthers are directly linked with Aramis Rugby, as they are the kit manufacturer for this particular North Devon Girls section.
All the girls show great desire to perform at their best, with the recent covid-19 pandemic putting no barrier in their way to be the greatest they can be. The past season has been difficult for most, but the Panthers stuck through it together and managed to keep morale up in the squad. They deserve nothing but praise for the hardship they’ve been through.
From a personal point of view, the team has given everyone hope and they could never be more thankful for the opportunity that they have been given whilst being a member of this absolutely amazing club. It’s continuing to thrive in the tough Coronavirus pandemic, and they’re only getting stronger. South Molton Rugby Club isn’t just a place to develop their rugby skills for these young women, but to have a family, people they can rely on in life for any matter, not just sport related.
All in all, the South Molton Junior Panthers are a team to watch out for if you’re in the local area as they’re not one to fight with. Year after year the girls never fail to inspire each other with the team producing some excellent players and people along the way. If you’re under the age of 18 and are a young woman looking to try out a new sport in the North Devon area, South Molton Rugby Club is the place for you.
This team is going to do big things one day – we can all feel it. Join them on their wonderful and amazing journey into flourishing into something great!
Ashleigh Rollins, South Molton Rugby Club Panthers U18’s
