The 2026/27 season burst into life on Sunday as Salisbury’s Spitfires travelled to North Dorset RFC for a full club Girls Rugby Takeover Day — and what a statement they made. Across the U11/12, U14 and U16 age groups, our players showcased everything that makes girls’ rugby so special: courage, teamwork, resilience, joy, and the kind of physical and mental growth that lasts far beyond the final whistle.
This wasn’t just a pre season run out. It was a reminder of why rugby matters for young girls — building confidence, strength, friendships, and a sense of belonging — and a glimpse of the huge season of action still to come.

U11/12 Spitfires: Flying Start and Fearless Rugby
Coaches Dave and Gemma led our U11/12 Spitfires into their first outing of the season, and the girls delivered a performance full of excitement and promise.
For several players, it was their first real chance to stretch their legs in a competitive environment — and they rose to the occasion brilliantly. Their rucking was sharp, their tackling brave, and their determination unwavering. You could see the skills they’ve been working on all summer clicking into place.
Game two brought a flurry of tries from both sides, with pace, ball handling and attacking ambition on full display. The girls played with freedom and confidence, showing exactly how rugby helps young players grow: physically stronger, mentally tougher, and proud of what they can achieve together.
A superb start to their season — and plenty more to come.

U14 Spitfires: Resilience, Learning and a New League on the Horizon
Coach Dom’s U14 squad arrived with a blend of experienced players and girls stepping up from U12s, and the day proved invaluable for team bonding and development.
The results didn’t fall their way — defeats to Wimborne (44–0) and North Dorset (50–0) — but the story of the day was their resilience. In the final 10 minutes of the North Dorset match, the Spitfires produced their best rugby: more tackles than in the previous 30 minutes combined, relentless effort, and a refusal to give in.
That grit is exactly what rugby builds in young players. It teaches them how to respond when things get tough, how to support one another, and how to turn challenges into growth.
With the newly formed U14 girls league launching this season — the first of its kind across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset — this squad is stepping into a historic moment. Sunday’s lessons will serve them well as they prepare for competitive fixtures and a season full of opportunity.

U16 Spitfires: A Statement Win and a Team United
The U16 Spitfires, guided by Coaches Pete and Mark, delivered an electric performance to kick off their season with a 66–33 victory — a result that speaks volumes about their intent for 2026/27.
From the opening whistle, they were switched on, applying pressure in attack and defence and maintaining that intensity throughout. Individual brilliance was everywhere, but what stood out most was the unity: players working for each other, lifting each other, and playing with a bond that usually takes months to build.
This is what rugby gives teenage girls — a space to push themselves, to feel powerful, to trust their teammates, and to grow into leaders.
With their first HOB league game at Farnham next week, the message is clear: this team is ready, hungry, and aiming high.
A Season Full of Promise
Sunday’s Girls Rugby Takeover wasn’t just a showcase of skill — it was a celebration of everything rugby offers young girls:
• Physical strength and fitness
• Mental resilience and confidence
• Teamwork, belonging and friendship
• A safe, empowering space to challenge themselves
The Spitfires have set the tone for the season: determined, united, and full of potential. Whether it was the U11/12s bursting with energy, the U14s showing grit in adversity, or the U16s firing on all cylinders, every age group demonstrated why girls’ rugby is thriving at Salisbury RFC.
And the best part? This is only the beginning.
The 2026/27 season promises more action, more development, more joy — and plenty more Spitfires spirit.
Let’s get behind our girls, fill the touchlines, and make this a season to remember.