The Baglan Bombshells will be hosting a tournament to remember at Baglan RFC next month with more than 120 players from 12 teams from across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot expected to take part.
The over 30s team is the first women’s rugby team to play under the Baglan RFC badge – and one of the first teams established in the area. The team formed back in August 2023, making the tournament a fitting birthday celebration.
It comes as women’s touch rugby sees rapid growth across the region with scores of new teams starting up under their local rugby
clubs. Although the majority of players on the day are expected to be aged over 30, the tournament has been opened up to those aged 18 and over in order to be inclusive as possible.
Bombshells team representative, Hannah Hunt, said: “We’ve all fallen in love with touch rugby and we can’t wait to welcome all the teams – and their supporters – to our home ground in Baglan next month.
“I played various sports early on but, like many others, found that this tailed off shortly after leaving school. I’ve always wanted to try rugby but felt I left it too late for my body to take the knocks! Touch rugby has been the perfect alternative for me. I’m not originally from Port Talbot so the friendships I’ve made through the Bombshells have been invaluable to me.
“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve all come in just a few months and how we’ve developed as a team – especially with the majority of us never having played rugby before. Many of us have been on the sidelines of pitches with our kids’ sports teams for so many years, and now we’re delighted to be part of our own team and be on the pitch ourselves!”
Bombshells Head Coach Adam Davies said: “We have around 35 women who have come from all walks of life committed to the Bombshells, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow and develop as a team.
“The Bombshells is more than just rugby, it’s about women coming together from all backgrounds, sharing common interests and having that well deserved time away from busy schedules.
“We can’t wait for this tournament to come around – we’ve been excited to see so many new teams start up in the area and we look forward to them joining us for this special day.”
The ‘VETS rules’ tournament will commence from 10.30am on Saturday August 31 and teams will compete in two groups before winners and runners up will play in plate, bowl and cup finals from 3pm. There will also be a bouncy castle (to keep the kids entertained) refreshments, a food stand and raffle. While the Alzheimer’s Society has been selected by the Bombshells as its chosen charity to support on the day.
The Bombshells are currently seeking sponsorship to help fund the day (along with the team going forward). If you are interested in supporting this inaugural event or the Bombshells in the future please get in touch with the team through social media or you can contact Aisling Morrin via [email protected]. The Baglan Bombshells sponsorship package can also be found on social media.
Bombshells Committee Chairperson Alex Parsons said: “We’ve already had some fantastic sponsors come on board to help us with our kit and initial start-up – including the Sport Wales ‘Be Active Wales Fund’ – and we’d like to thank them all for their support.
“Now we really want to make this tournament one to remember – especially with it being exactly a year since our first training session – but we can’t do this alone.
“We would appreciate any support from local businesses through sponsorship or from anyone who can lend a hand by volunteering or donating raffle prizes, so please do reach out if you can help. We’ve already had a great response so far, and we look forward to hearing from the wider community.”
The tournament will also be supported by NPT Pass and the wider Baglan RFC family.
Nick White, Foundation Manager at Ospreys In The Community (OITC) said: “We’d like to wish the Baglan Bombshells all the best for their tournament and a happy first birthday too.
“Touch rugby is growing massively, and we’re in conversation with teams popping up all over the region. Our touch league, which runs every Wednesday at Sketty lane playing fields is going well, Baglan Bombshells have really embodied the spirit of it – a group of friends, having fun & trying a new sport – we’re loving watching them get stuck into it.
“It’s nice to see a festival like this being put on, where females can get involved in a competitive yet comfortable environment.”
