Rugby in Birmingham: Clubs, Training & Facilities for All Ages
Your Ultimate Guide to Rugby Across Birmingham and the West Midlands
Birmingham offers a vibrant rugby scene with numerous clubs, pitches, and training facilities spread throughout the city and surrounding areas. Whether you’re searching for junior rugby teams, women’s rugby clubs, or specialized coaching in the West Midlands, Birmingham’s rugby community provides opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.
Top Rugby Clubs in Birmingham
Birmingham boasts a range of well-established rugby clubs with excellent facilities:
Moseley Rugby Club – One of the city’s premier clubs located at Billesley Common in south Birmingham, offering teams from minis to seniors and a renowned academy program.
Birmingham & Solihull RFC – Known as ‘The Bees’, based at Portway with comprehensive youth development programs and competitive senior teams.
Bournville RFC – Located in southwest Birmingham with excellent facilities including floodlit pitches and a strong community focus.
Old Halesonians – Based just west of Birmingham in Hagley, offering rugby for all age groups with excellent training facilities.
Sutton Coldfield RFC – North Birmingham club with extensive youth sections and women’s teams at their Roger Smoldon Ground.
Rugby for Children and Youth in Birmingham
Birmingham provides excellent opportunities for young players to start their rugby journey:
Rugby Tots Birmingham – Sessions for 2-7 year olds available in locations including Harborne, Edgbaston, and Solihull, introducing rugby fundamentals through structured play.
Mini Rugby Programs – Available for 6-11 year olds at clubs including Veseyans RFC, Kings Norton RFC, and Harborne RFC, offering age-appropriate skills development.
Junior Rugby Clubs – Structured training for 12-18 year olds at Woodrush RFC, Yardley & District RFC, and Birmingham Exiles RFC with pathways to senior rugby.
Tag Rugby – Non-contact introduction to rugby at RFU-affiliated clubs across Birmingham including Five Ways Old Edwardians and Perry Barr RFC.
Women’s and Girls’ Rugby in Birmingham
Female rugby participation is growing rapidly across Birmingham:
Women’s Rugby Teams – Competitive squads at Birmingham University Women’s RFC, Moseley Women, and Aston Old Edwardians Women offer opportunities for experienced players.
Beginner Women’s Rugby – Introductory sessions at Five Ways Old Edwardians, Birmingham Bulls, and Camp Hill RFC welcome adult newcomers to the sport.
Girls’ Rugby Development – Dedicated pathways at Moseley, Sutton Coldfield, and Bournville RFC provide girls-only training from age 6 upwards.
Rugby Pitches and Training Grounds in Birmingham
Birmingham features excellent rugby facilities throughout the city:
Billesley Common – Home to Moseley RFC with multiple pitches and a 5,000-capacity stadium.
Haslucks Green Playing Fields – Shirley’s premier rugby facility, home to Birmingham & Solihull RFC.
University of Birmingham Pitches – Extensive facilities at Metchley Lane supporting university and community rugby.
Sutton Park – North Birmingham’s largest green space with marked rugby pitches used by local clubs.
Rowheath Pavilion – Historic sports ground in Bournville hosting community rugby training and matches.
Specialist Rugby Training in Birmingham
For those seeking personalized development:
Private Rugby Coaching – One-to-one sessions with qualified coaches available through Birmingham Rugby Development programs and independent providers.
Rugby Academies – Elite development at Wasps Academy (covering West Midlands) and Moseley Academy for aspiring players.
Rugby Camps – School holiday programs at Veseyans RFC, Sutton Coldfield RFC, and throughout Birmingham during half terms and summer breaks.
Rugby Equipment and Shops in Birmingham
Find specialist rugby gear and equipment at:
Lovell Rugby Birmingham – Comprehensive range of boots, protection, and team wear in the city center.
Sports Direct Birmingham – Located in the Bullring with a dedicated rugby section for basic equipment and footwear.
Club Shops – Moseley RFC and Birmingham & Solihull both offer club-branded merchandise and essential training gear.
Rugby Across Birmingham’s Suburbs
Solihull – Active rugby community with Silhillians RFC, Camp Hill RFC, and Old Yardleians providing rugby from tots to veterans.
Sutton Coldfield – Northern suburb with strong rugby tradition at Sutton Coldfield RFC and Veseyans RFC.
Harborne and Edgbaston – Western areas served by Harborne RFC and Old Edwardians RFC with active youth sections.
Hall Green and Kings Heath – Southern communities with Kings Norton RFC and Yardley & District RFC offering inclusive rugby programs.
Perry Barr and Erdington – North Birmingham areas with Aston Old Edwardians and Erdington RFC providing accessible rugby for all ages.
Birmingham’s rugby landscape benefits from its central location in the Midlands rugby heartland, with Wasps Rugby playing at the Coventry Building Society Arena just 20 miles away. The city’s manufacturing heritage has built strong community clubs with a tradition of inclusivity, offering walking rugby for seniors, touch rugby for casual players, and wheelchair rugby through the West Midlands Warriors. From the iconic Bullring to the canals of Gas Street Basin, Birmingham’s distinctive character is reflected in its passionate rugby community that welcomes players of all backgrounds across this diverse and vibrant city.