Players from Ealing Trailfinders will celebrate their grassroots beginnings this weekend as part of a new campaign aimed at strengthening links between professional rugby and youth players.
The Ealing club has launched its “Rugby Roots” initiative, highlighting the pathways players have taken from local clubs and school teams to the professional game. As part of the campaign, players will wear socks from their first club or school team during upcoming fixtures to acknowledge where their rugby journeys began.
The initiative will take place during the women’s match against Loughborough Lightning and the men’s fixture with Nottingham Rugby.
The programme also includes regular coaching and mentoring sessions with younger players in the Trailfinders minis and youth teams. Members of the senior squads have been leading training sessions, sharing advice and answering questions about life in professional rugby.
Jordan Holgate said: “Sometimes it’s important to reflect on the journeys we’ve all taken, and what it took to take us from an aspiring rugby player to now competing professionally.”
He added: “It’s incredible to see firsthand how engaged the Trailfinders minis and youth teams are. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with them and watch them get stuck into training sessions.”
The club said the campaign aims to inspire young players while recognising the community clubs that helped shape its current squads.
