When starting something new, the first steps are usually the hardest.

It could be that you’re starting a new job or hobby. Or you could be creating a new sports team, like Dawn Holden, the founding member and back row flanker for Brockworth Ladies RFC.

Whatever it is, plenty of commitment and hard work is required in the early stages to ensure future success.

Based at Brockworth Rugby Club, Mill Lane, it seems that Dawn’s up-and-coming team have what it takes.

“We started off in March last year as a fitness group,” says Dawn.

“My husband and both my sons play for Brockworth, so I have always been part of the rugby community.

“I’d never played rugby before though, so I looked on YouTube for rugby drills and training sessions to coach the girls. We started off as touch rugby and in the last two months have taken the plunge into full contact rugby.”

The team have achieved some pretty admirable things so far.

“The reason the group was started was just to get fit; we based the fitness around rugby, using a ball for exercise and tackle bags,” says Dawn.

“We then thought, ‘hey we’re not too bad at this’. So, I then organised a touch rugby tournament at our club in July last year and turned it into a charity fun day, to raise money for a local family whose baby was born with a very rare condition called NKH.

“Well, what a day it was – not only did our team win the tournament, but we raised over £6,500 for the charity. The tournament is running again this year as it was such a success.”

Brockworth Ladies RFC is clearly a very positive environment.

“Rugby gives you a sense of belonging and it’s very social,” says Dawn.

“We are a great, diverse bunch of ladies that all support one another.

“We always have each other’s backs and give each other advice – I can 100% rely on them.”

And this group of lovely ladies is only expanding, with the motivated Dawn right behind them, cheering them on.

“We started off with about eight ladies, ranging in age from their early twenties to mid-fifties. We now have 16 ladies who are signed on and train regularly,” she says.

“We also have three people that come along to coach us: my husband Peter Holden, Emily Hatherall and Mark Barnard.”

“I would like the team to continue to grow and this means we have to get more ladies into the sport,” says Dawn.

“Women’s rugby is really on the up at the moment, so now’s a great time to join and perhaps try something different if you’ve never played it before.

“I never ever thought that I would play rugby, but I love it. At my age I thought my team sport days were over, but here I am at 55 playing rugby!

Dawn has some great plans in store for the future of the team.

“I won’t be playing regularly,” she says.

“As soon as we have a squad of 20 players, I’ll step out and help coach again.

“In the next couple of years, I’d like there to be an under-13s girls’ side.

“At the moment, we have mini and junior teams at Brockworth, but after the age of 12, the girls cannot play with the boys.

“I am now looking into doing a Level Two coaching course – I’d like to coach them, so we can hopefully keep the Brockworth Ladies a well-established team.”

So, do you like the sound of keeping fit and having fun, all whilst playing a fantastic team sport?

Then don’t hesitate to contact Dawn – 07775 781920 – and check out the team’s Facebook page, Brockworth Ladies RFC.

“Please come along – we are a friendly bunch and we’ll help you to become a great rugby player,” enthuses Dawn.

If you do give it a go, you’ll be joining a team who hopefully have a successful and thoroughly enjoyable future ahead of them.

In fact, they’re already off to an impressive start.

“Our first match was against Hardwicke & Quedgeley Harlequins,” says Dawn.

“We beat them 15-10. It was a brilliant win for a group of ladies who just 10 months ago started out on a Sunday morning to get themselves fit!

“It’s just onwards and upwards for us now.”