Pass It On: Broughton Women's RFC

From Breakaway to Breakthrough: The Inspiring Story of Broughton Women's RFC

In the world of grassroots rugby, few stories are as compelling as that of Broughton Women's RFC—a club that has transformed from a small group of determined players seeking a new home into one of Edinburgh's most inclusive rugby communities.

A New Beginning Born from Adversity

The story begins in 2010 when a group of players at another club in Edinburgh found themselves at a crossroads. Conflicts over player treatment had reached a breaking point, and these passionate rugby players were left searching for a club they could call home. Enter Grant Hutchison and Mark Brown from Broughton RFC—two committee members who would change the trajectory of women's rugby at their club forever.

What started as discussions quickly blossomed into something extraordinary. Led by future club president Rebecca Long, these pioneering women took to the Wardie slope with determination and vision. Alongside players like Billie, Shona Roche, Hannah Folely, Amanda Brindley, Jen Harris, Laura Kinghorn, and Sharon Forsyth, they laid the foundation for what would become a formidable women's section.

More Than Just Support—True Equality

From day one, Broughton RFC embraced their new female members with genuine commitment. This wasn't tokenism or reluctant accommodation; it was wholehearted acceptance. The club donated equipment and kit, ensuring the women's team could train and compete on equal footing with their male counterparts.

The "one club ethos" wasn't just a slogan; it was a lived reality. Training areas were shared equally, match days were respected, and the clubhouse doors were always open. This commitment to gender equality is built on a rich history of female members who have been integral to building, furnishing, and running the club since the 1960s.

The numbers speak to this commitment: over 14 years, the club has seen two female club presidents, two female vice presidents, two female secretaries, four female women's team coaches, and one female men's team coach. This isn't just progress, it's transformation.

Achievements That Matter

While silverware tells one story, Broughton's achievements run much deeper. Co-coach, Lorna Murdoch, shared some poignant moments with us. Their 2014 bowl competition victory against Ayr remains a defining moment, as does their recent semi-final appearance in the shield competition. But perhaps more meaningful is their league victory against rivals Dundee this season, a hard-fought 32-21 win that exemplified everything the club stands for.

“We were playing Dundee, our closest rivals, with both teams fighting for the top of the league. It’s always a tough, close game against them. They’d beaten us earlier in the season, and we were determined to turn that around—and we did. The game was intense, neck-and-neck the entire way.

As fullback, I had this unique perspective of seeing the whole pitch unfold in front of me. I could see how hard we’d worked to gel as a team, to understand each other and execute our game plan. Watching it all come together, I felt in complete awe of my teammates.

We won 32-21. It was an emotional win—one we had all worked for, whether playing that day or not. I cried my eyes out. I was just so proud of how we’d pushed each other and ourselves.” - Lucy Hanna.

What makes this club special isn't just winning games; it's about witnessing complete beginners light up the pitch, seeing hard work pay off in moments of pure rugby magic.

“Every season has a special factor. The last few seasons have been particularly special by the number of new players who have joined the club. We have had debut players in almost every game of this season, some of whom are completely new to the sport. It’s a passion of this club to grow the sport and we feel that it has been come a hugely successful part of our culture.” – Lorna Murdoch.

A Personal Journey of Belonging

Lucy Hanna shares her story on how she came to call Broughton her club:

“Rugby had been missing from my life for 15 years. When I moved to Edinburgh, I didn’t know where to start, so I asked in a Facebook group about women’s rugby teams. The response was overwhelming—so many clubs reached out, but the comments from Broughton players stood out.

Their messages were warm, personal, and genuine. People shared how joining Broughton had "changed their life" or how they’d "made friends for life." They assured me it didn’t matter whether I’d played before or not; the club was open to everyone. It sounded like exactly what I needed, and it turned out to be even more than I could have hoped for.

Being part of Broughton has given me a huge sense of purpose. At school, I struggled to fit in. When I found rugby in P7, it felt like I’d found my place. But that sense of belonging disappeared when I was 15 and the girls’ section dissolved. Looking back, I think I lost my way after that.

Fast forward to joining Broughton at 27, and I found that acceptance again. Of course, I love playing the game—I’m competitive, and I enjoy the physical side of it—but the impact goes far deeper than that.

Broughton has given me confidence that spills over into every aspect of my life. The support I’ve received from my team and coaches is unreal, and I’m proud to give that support back. When I struggle to show up for myself, I show up for them.

There’s something special about friendships forged in sport. I’d even argue they have a quality that ordinary friendships don’t. But that’s something you’ll need to experience for yourself.”

Looking to the Future

With over 40 members in their women's team, Broughton is thinking bigger. Their goals are ambitious yet grounded: maintain their position as one of Edinburgh's most inclusive clubs while pursuing competitive success. They're diversifying revenue through innovative sponsorship packages and increasing community engagement, recently hosting events for local GAA teams and Andy's Man Club.

Katie Booth-McKeand, co-captain of the Women’s 1XV, shares what changes she would like to see in women’s rugby in Scotland:

“ In the short term, women’s games played on Saturday rather than Sunday. This would open up the opportunity for big club days, raise the profile of women’s rugby and demonstrate that clubs and the SRU believe the women’s game deserves the same stage as the men’s. It’s great to see Premiership teams now playing on a Saturday. In the longer term, it’d be great if we could explore how to further close the gap between the top Prem teams and others - ultimately leading to greater variety in fixtures, and more competitive games!”

Libby McCue, co-coach Women’s 1XV, gives an insight into what you can expect when joining Broughton RFC.

“We continually look to tailor our sessions to develop new and experienced players alike. We have a particular focus in pre-season on preparing new players in both skills and fitness to cope with the demands of competitive rugby. Off pitch, we break down barriers in team sport by giving information on what players need to know, both in terms of kit and what’s involved in the preparation for games, and have an active team chat and social events.”

More Than a Game

At its heart, Broughton Women's RFC represents something profound: the power of sport to build community, foster belonging, and transform lives. They've proven that when a club truly commits to inclusion and equality, everyone benefits.

Their depth as a squad isn't just about having enough players—it's about creating an environment where everyone plays their part, where individual success serves the collective good. They don't play for themselves; they play for each other.

As Broughton looks toward another century of rugby, they carry with them the lessons of these transformative 14 years: that sport at its best creates family, that inclusion strengthens rather than dilutes excellence, and that sometimes the most important victories happen long after the final whistle.

We at Muddy Roots would like to thank Louise Murray-Forsyth, Lorna Murdoch, Katie Booth-McKeand, Lucy Hanna, and Libby McCue for sharing their experiences and history of Broughton Women's RFC. Also, previous president Mark Brown for providing photographs.

Interested in joining Broughton Women's RFC? Visit our ‘find your local club’ page for social media channels or contact the club directly. Whether you're a seasoned player or have never touched a rugby ball, you'll find a warm welcome at Wardie.