HELENSBURGH Ladies Rugby Club are looking to recruit new players and promote that any woman from any background can take up the sport.

Helensburgh Rugby Club has been around since 1963, while the ladies' team reformed in 2015 and have been going strong since.

However, they are looking to recruit new players and are aiming to get more women in the area involved in rugby.

Louise McCloy, of Helensburgh Ladies Rugby Team said: "The reformed in 2015 and have been going strong since - sometimes even outnumbering the guys at training.

"Our ages and occupations range from 14 to over 40 years of age, from students, mums, police officers, submariners and waitresses to care workers.

"It took us a year of hard work and commitment to get into a league, which normally takes the average team two years.

"This past year has been tough and challenging, but we all love every minute of what we do. We are in the Scottish National League 2 and still have quite a few games of the season left to play.

"Our aim is to get more women in the area involved in rugby, and promote the idea that any woman can take up the sport.

"The ladies of Helensburgh Rugby Club are showing stereotypes the door and inspiring people to take up the sport.

"For many of us, it's not just about playing a sport - it's about everything else that goes alongside it. Making memories, socialising, forming bonds, creating friendships, challenging ourselves physically and mentally and generally gaining confidence and having fun."

Current members of the club shared their experiences what it is like to be part of a team and the differences they have seen in themselves since joining.

Member Anne, aged 26, said: "I have lost 4st 3lbs since starting rugby. I've gone from a size 16/18 to a size 12.

"I could barely jog the length of the pitch and now I am running around and able to do the full 80 minutes."

Hannah, 25, likes that everyone is made welcome at the club. She said: "I have lost four stones and gone from a size 20 to a size 12.

"I am at my happiest when at rugby, as no matter what your fitness is or what you look like, you are always made welcome. Everyone looks out for each other, the girls are amazing and have come so far."

Addie, 26, found that the rugby team made her feel like part of the community.

She said: "Coming from another country is, in part, a lonely experience. Nothing is familiar and you feel like you are the biggest difference.

"Joining the rugby team made me feel like part of the community.

"Having people from the town come and cheer us on, having my kit recognised and being asked about the team.

"When people became more interested in me being a female rugby player than where my accent is from, I knew I was accepted."

Amy, 30, likes the confidence that playing rugby has given her.

She said: "Rugby has given me the confidence to accept that I will never be skinny, nor do I want to be.

"It has helped me focus my energies on building strength and I seriously enjoy the side effects of weight lifting.

"I remain in competition with myself to continually improve and progress physically and to be the best rugby player I can be.

"Since joining my stats have changed and I have lost 10.7kg in weight and my body fat is down seven per cent."

The team trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Helensburgh Rugby Club and encourage anyone interested to head along and see what they do.

For more information contact the club on 01436 674056.