TWO Bolton women are intent on proving that the oval ball is not just for men.

Calista Kennedy and Eraina Smith became friends while stood on the sidelines watching their sons playing junior rugby at Bolton RUFC and were inspired to take up the sport themselves.

Last February they took the plunge and helped set up a women’s development squad at the club, focusing initially on fun and fitness rather than competition.

“Eraina got into rugby through watching her son, but I was brought up on it by my father – even if it was rugby league,” said Calista.

“When our kids’ coach mentioned he was starting a ladies’ team, I wasn’t too sure, but since then, 12 months on, I haven’t looked back.

“I focused on recruiting the mums of the boys’ teams, coaxing them into coming down and trying it out.

“Mark Doherty, one of the coaches at Bolton, went into schools and got some of the girls to come down, and since then it’s built and built.”

Training takes place at Bolton's Avenue Street ground every Monday, with up to 25 women taking part each week.

They have worked with Bolton coach Peter Gore and the Rugby Football Union, with the aim of playing their first competitive game and ultimately joining a league.

But at present, the emphasis is on inclusivity and camaraderie, with ages ranging from six to 61 and the full spectrum of athletic ability.

"Not all people are built to be a runner, play netball or do aerobics," added Calista.

"The great thing about rugby union is that it is all inclusive.

"There is something in it for everyone – a place, role or position for all shapes and sizes."

As Eraina points out, with RFU rules stopping mixed-gender rugby at the under-13s stage, teenage girls can have their love for the sport punctured – something Bolton RUFC has sought to rectify.

“We’ve always involved younger girls, because after u12s our girls can disappear off the radar," said Eraina.

“We’ve got a really good team that actually go into schools and promote rugby to all ages, then obviously if they’re interested they can come down to the club and join in with us.

“We’re trying to encourage every age group, especially now the England team are doing so brilliantly, winning the World Cup in 2014.

“With that point of inspiration, we’ve got something to show them, that it’s not necessarily a boys’ sport, and that us girls can do it just as well and have just as much fun!”

As the group develops, the plan is to run four teams – u13s, u15s, a touch side and a full contact team.

But Calista says they will not rush their members into competition, instead promoting the training sessions as a great way to keep fit.

“Our role at the moment is to promote it, to help women get out and get fit - it’s a nice atmosphere,” she said.

“We’ve started to market it more as rugby fitness and then see how it goes with the more numbers we get.”

For further details email Eraina at epsmith671@gmail.com or Calista at calistakennedy@yahoo.co.uk.