BRADFORD Salem, whose men did the Yorkshire Division Two and Yorkshire Shield double last season in an unbeaten campaign, are to form a women's team.

Training sessions, which intend to be inclusive, enjoyable and informative, are on Thursdays (7.15pm), starting on July 23, and will cover the full spectrum of abilities – from those who have never played before to those who have played before and given up.

The new team will be based on the Pitch up and Play model that the RFU are promoting, and women's rugby, buoyed by England being 15-a-side world champions, has doubled its participation over the past ten years.

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Natasha Hunt explained: “England Rugby are hoping to get 10,000 more women into the sport by 2017, so we’ve launched these friendly Pitch up and Play sessions and are calling upon women who might currently go to the gym, take part in obstacle course races or who perhaps want to become more active, to give rugby a go, regardless of age, ability or previous experience.

“The sessions are free and provide a fantastic introduction to newcomers, so bring along a friend, family member or colleague to give rugby a try.”

Women will be encouraged to play to their strengths whether they’re fast, agile, tall or strong, and sessions will include skills, fitness and match play.

Players will also be able to select a ‘motivation band’ on arrival which helps them to shape the session, be that fun, competition or fitness.

Further information is available from club secretary Bruce Strachan on 07816-662708 or brucestr@gmail.com.