Penrith Rugby Union Football Club has received a large donation to support its growth in the sport, particularly among young women, from local Cumbrian housebuilder Barratt Homes.
Penrith Panthers RUFC is a long-established grassroots rugby club based at Winters Park, directly opposite the new Barratt Homes development, Carleton Chase.
The club provides sporting opportunities for children, young people and adults across Penrith and the Eden Valley, with a strong focus on health, wellbeing, teamwork and inclusion.
Barratt Homes’ grant of £1,000 is helping the Penrith Panthers to expand and grow the number of those participating in rugby. Young women are the fastest growing membership at the club and the Panthers are looking to strike while the iron’s hot.
Sarah McGrath, Under 18 Panthers Manager at Penrith Rugby Club, said: “It’s fantastic to see a construction company so genuinely invested in its local community. Barratt Homes’ generous £1,000 donation will make a real difference to the girls at Penrith RUFC and they are hugely grateful for this support.
“For many of our female players, rugby isn’t just a sport – it’s a place to belong, to build confidence and to be part of a strong, supportive community. The development of new girls’ changing rooms will allow them to train and play more often, creating a welcoming environment where they can grow both on and off the pitch.
“We have many talented young players coming through who aspire to compete at a high level and improved facilities are crucial in helping them reach their potential. This donation is an important step toward making that happen.”
Girls’ and women’s rugby at Penrith RUFC has grown significantly, particularly following the success of the England Red Roses. However, the club currently cannot meet the demand due to a lack of suitable changing space.
At present, the girls and women’s teams are limited as to when they can train to avoid sharing changing rooms with male players. This creates overcrowding and limits the club’s capacity to welcome new players from the local community.
Sarah added: “With Barratt Homes building new homes directly opposite the club, we hope to welcome many new families and young people to the Panthers. Improving our facilities now will help ensure we can offer safe, inclusive, year-round opportunities for girls and women who want to play rugby.”
Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “We are proud to support Penrith Rugby Club and hope that this donation will help open the doors to greater opportunities for more women to get involved in the sport.
“It’s important for us to invest in grassroots sport, particularly in Penrith, where many of the families moving into our Carleton Chase development can visit the rugby club on their doorstep.”
To learn more about the club and its ongoing activities, visit the website at Penrith Rugby Union Football Club.
For information about any developments in the area, visit the website at Barratt Homes in Cumbria.
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