Kings Norton RFC are celebrating after the news Maddy Foster a KN Rhinos Girls Team player has been called up to play in North Midlands Under 18 County Team, well done our Maddy. Maddy who attended local school Colmers and is now studying for her 'A' levels at King Edwards College Stourbridge has just turned 16 and came to Kings Norton RFC with her brother in 2020 and started playing her Rugby with the KN Rhinos Girls Tag Rugby Team, playing in the West Midlands Girls Tag League, West Midlands Girls Tag League | Facebook . Maddy excelled and was awarded KN Rhinos Tag Girls, 'Player of the year in 2022'.

The Girls Tag Team Manager Stu Arch who's two daughters play in the team signed our girls up to take part in the West Midlands Girls Tag League a number of years back and they have flourished and been very successful under his management and with the support of their coaches. As luck would have it the North Midlands RFU were aware that a number of local clubs had a few girls in their ranks but not enough at any one club to sustain a team. So, the NMRFU started the England Rugby Development Player Pathway Female U16s programme in 2022, lead by NM Rugby Coach Moira Boot. Stu asked our Tag Girls if they would like to participate in the full contact Rugby programme the NMRFU were offering and a number of our Tag Rugby Girls including Maddy took up the challenge. Again Maddy excelled and made the North Midlands Team two years running and has now been asked to take another step up to the under 18s Squad.

Maddy who plays in the hot bed position of Hooker tells of how playing the game has helped her with her autism, she says ''I find I have less anxiety about small problems and I find myself able to do things that I never thought I could. It has helped me so much with my confidence, communication, health and my anxiety''.

Kings Norton RFC now have a ladies team lead by Manager Chloe Gilmore and Coached by her Partner Nathan who also plays in the KNRFC men's senior side. Kings Norton's Club coaching Team is led by our new exciting young Head Coach Jamie Heathfield who is doing a superb job instilling confidence and best practice in our players with his master class coaching sessions. If you would like to get involved, visit the club or drop us a message on our social media!