Project Rugby: Brooke’s Story

Five years later, the teen has represented her county, completed the North East Centre of Excellence programme and now plays for Leeds Rhinos Under 19s - achievements even she can’t quite believe.

"None of my family played or knew anything about the sport, so I had no rugby background at all," said the former Churchill Community College pupil.

“I’d always loved sport but with rugby, something just clicked. I liked the aggressive side of it and the culture was so relaxed and welcoming. It’s a real family atmosphere.

“In other sports I’d been to I felt a little bit out of place but with rugby it felt like home.”

Henderson progressed quickly through the age group ranks, completing three seasons at the Centre of Excellence where she played against Premiership teams including Loughborough and Sale Sharks.

In addition to carving out an esteemed playing career for herself, Henderson’s taste of the team spirit sparked a desire to lead from the front and ensure other female players can experience the same.

Part of this ambition led her to take up a full-time role as Development Officer for Newcastle Rugby Foundation, through which she is determined to bridge the gender gap.

“It was having really good coaches that got me into rugby, so I want to roll up my sleeves and help younger girls and kids develop and enjoy the sport,” said the 18-year-old.

“Newcastle Rugby Foundation are so supportive of me being a coach, player and a role model for younger people. It’s brilliant we are seeing more girls getting involved in rugby. It should be that way.

“Women’s football is up and coming and rugby should be the same. That’s why the work Project Rugby does is so important because girls often can’t play rugby at school but we’re bringing it to them.

"To play rugby you don’t have to be a certain shape or size, there’s no list of criteria, so we want to keep showing it’s for everyone.”

Run by the Foundation and supported by Premiership Rugby and England Rugby, Project Rugby is dedicated to increasing engagement from people from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Founded on the belief that rugby is for everyone, sessions are made accessible by dedicated volunteers and that’s exactly what continues to inspire Henderson to play her part.

“I want to make sure I relate to the players," she said.

"I’m a very practical person and a visual learner so if I’m coaching I love getting people to demonstrate.

“Coaching has definitely made me a more confident player. Coaching classes of between 30 and 50 kids at a young age is a little bit nerve-wracking but the most important thing is for me to be me and bring the energy.

“It’s also made me think ‘I can do this’ when I go back to my own team, especially because I can’t be telling the kids one thing and not doing it myself. ”Project Rugby facilitates sessions that are easily accessible within local communities thanks to coaches and volunteers from Premiership Rugby clubs and Club Foundations across the nation. The aim of Project Rugby is to increase participation, inclusivity, and diversity in the sport through the six-week programme which introduces rugby to novices harnessing rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Since its inception in 2017, over 100,000 people have participated in Project Rugby sessions held at over 200 different locations across England.

Ryan Stott, from Gallagher’s Newcastle branch said: “Brooke’s story is inspiring and really demonstrates how Project Rugby is helping to shape the lives of young people by giving them opportunities to get involved in rugby.

“Not only has project Rugby given Brooke a start in her rugby career, but it has enabled her to become a role model for other young women who want to play rugby and learn new skills. Gallagher is proud to support Project Rugby and the important work that it does to enrich the lives of young people across the UK.”

Newcastle Rugby Foundation Operations and Delivery Manager Gavin Beasley, who is also a former Newcastle Falcons player, shares Brooke’s belief in the importance of inspiring through coaching.

“Growing the skills and involvement of people like Brooke is helping us reach more people and grow the sport,” he said.

“That’s a really exciting aspect of what Project Rugby is doing. Our projects raise involvement by getting young people physically active but we’re also building belonging and boosting wellbeing.

"We want to keep unearthing talent like Brooke to keep moving in the right direction.”