Rugby volunteers 'giving back' to community

Rugby players in Beverley are offering their time to help out in the local community, including volunteering at care homes, schools and community projects.

Members of Beverley Women's RUFC said it was a matter of "giving back", with lots of different skills among the teammates.

Ellie Holmes, chairwoman of the women's and girls' teams, said: "It might just be that it makes somebody's day - and that's enough."

Community engagement coach Maddie Dale encouraged people to get in touch with any suggestions as to how they could help out: "We're happy to see what we can do to help you."

The team has posted on social media asking for people to get in touch with the club if they thought members could help out with something.

"If you know any places that need an extra pair of hands (or a whole squad!), let us know!" the post said.

Speaking to Kofi Smiles on BBC Radio Humberside, Ms Holmes said: "It's very much about giving back. The grass is green where you water it."

Meanwhile, Ms Dale explained: "At the moment, I'm working with Inspire, which is a group for adults with learning disabilities.

"I'm doing one session a week at the club, doing rugby and multi-sports with them.

"I'm currently in lots of secondary schools and I'm going into care home next week."

Ms Holmes said working in the community and helping people where they could would pay dividends.

"It's sort of like a circle of life, because you get awareness of the rugby club, you might get sponsorship out of it, and also it might just be that it makes somebody's day - and that's enough," she said.

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