Llangwm started their girls rugby team up back last November and the squad has been training since then - and they currently have 20 + girls training aged 17 to 40 + as they meet every Wednesday evening from 7 until 8 at Pill Parks.

They are coached by Graham Elliott, who was born and brought up in Haverfordwest and went to Sir Thomas Picton School, where he played rugby all the way through school and for the county youth, plus Haverfordwest RFC youth as a second row. Then he went to Hartpury College and played rugby there, captaining the team for two seasons whilst playing as a centre.

 Graham has been coaching Llangwm Juniors under 13's rugby for about six years now and he also refs the minis and juniors in Llangwm teams so it came as no surprise that Graham was asked back in November by some of the girls in the village if he would coach the team they were trying to put together and it has just grown from there.

 Before Graham started he did some research into touch rugby and realised that it is a massive sport in Australia and New Zealand, and around the world. He also realised that it is a little different to touch rugby he played as a nipper because there are international rules to which the girls have to be trained.

 Basically you have a team of 12 players with six on the pitch at one time and with six subs, so you can do rolling subs. The game is played on a half-size pitch and is 10 minutes each way. So it is a quick game with a lot of running but like regular rugby it is a game that requires a lot of thinking to cut out moves by the opposition.

When touched the ball must be placed between the legs. You get six touches and then the ball is turned over to the opposition and a touch is anywhere on the body, including the hair, and also the ball.

The Pembrokeshire touch league started in Haverfordwest in the middle of May, said Graham, and the girls have had a good season playing on the Astroturf at Sir Thomas Picton School. They were the only all-girl side and played mainly against all mens teams, most of whom were experienced rugby players playing for the likes of Haverfordwest.

 They learned a lot from playing against these guys, far more than I could ever teach them because as you know there is nothing better than playing to learn the game.

 They may not have the strength or the speed of some of the men, but there ball handling and sleight of hand passing would put the international side to shame. Every week I see a massive improvement in them and they have the total respect of the men they are playing against.

Now the season is coming to an end I have to say that they have been a pleasure to train and they don't want to stop so we are now looking to travel to find games. Most of these girls had never picked up a rugby ball before and to come as far as they have in such a short space of time is amazing and a real credit to them. If they carry on improving at the rate they have this season I feel this touch rugby team could go far.

Some of the girls have now decided to join Haverfordwest for the winter and take up the contact game and I think the Blues will be all the better for having them. I wish them all the best with this but I am looking forward to next season all ready, especially since I hope to have recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon I sustained during training at Pill Parks!

Graham also coaches Milford Tigers swimming squad (he has not been doing this for long) but is regularly to be found at Milford Leisure Centres pool at 6am. He has two boys, Morgan and Jack, who are very sporty and both play rugby for Llangwm and swim for the Tigers. Both love doing triathlons but don't get much time to do them but only last year they ran the Great North Run with their mum.

 They recently took part in the Cardiff International Open Long Course Meet and swam in a number of races against clubs from all over the United Kingdom and beyond, doing really well. His youngest Jack (aged nine) made two finals; the 100m back stroke (finished 6th) and 100m free style (finished 10th), with PB'S in a number of races. Eldest son Morgan (aged 12) made three finals: the 200 metre breast stroke (finished 7th), 100 metre breast stroke (finished 5th) and 100 metre freestyle (finished 7th). He also produced personal bests in all apart from one race. Morgan also represents his county and will be competing in the Summer National in July at Swansea International Pool.

Back on the rugby front, Graham has not been able to referee as much as he would have liked but has managed to carry out his coaching work and is looking for eager new recruits. As he told us,

There is no experience needed and the girls love it because there is no contact so the girls do not have to worry about getting hurt. It is really good for ball handling and running into space.

The Llangwm team will be linking in with the touch rugby in the Scarlets region and they might even be putting some of the girls forward for the Red Kites (the Scarlets touch team).

For Llangwm, this is a major step forward, but they also looking to play further afield. As with any team they are looking for sponsorship for items such as kit. If anyone wants to contact Llangwm for any information they can find it on Facebook (Llangwm RFC Ladies).

Have a look there and it is easy to see the fun that the girls have and under the careful scrutiny, encouragement and support provided by Graham Elliott they are sure to make even greater strides during the next campaign!