Rugby in Liverpool: Complete Guide to Clubs, Training & Facilities | 2025

Rugby in Liverpool: Complete Guide to Clubs, Pitches & Training for All Ages

Liverpool, the historic maritime city on the banks of the River Mersey, offers a thriving rugby scene across both league and union codes. While football may dominate the sporting landscape, rugby has deep roots in Liverpool and its surrounding areas, from Crosby to Knowsley and Wirral to Bootle. This comprehensive guide covers everything from junior rugby clubs in Liverpool to women’s teams in Sefton, helping you find the perfect rugby opportunity whatever your age, gender, or skill level.

Rugby Union Clubs in Liverpool

Liverpool boasts several established rugby union clubs catering to all levels:

Liverpool St Helens RFC – The oldest open rugby club in the world, founded in 1857, with excellent facilities at Moss Lane in West Derby
Liverpool Collegiate RUFC – Historic club with grounds in Aigburth offering teams from minis to seniors
Waterloo FC – Prestigious club in Crosby with comprehensive youth development programs
Sefton RUFC – Community-focused club in Thornton with growing women’s section
Birkenhead Park FC – Established club on the Wirral peninsula with excellent facilities
Caldy RFC – High-level club in West Kirby playing in the Championship
Hoylake RFC – Family-friendly club on the Wirral with strong mini section

Rugby League Clubs in Liverpool

Located near the heartland of Rugby League, Liverpool has several clubs playing the 13-a-side code:

Liverpool Lions RLFC – Community club developing rugby league across the city
Highfield Wildcats – Club in south Liverpool with youth and senior sections
Halton Farnworth Hornets – Club in the wider Liverpool region with excellent youth setup
Widnes Vikings – Professional club on Liverpool’s outskirts with community programs

Rugby for Children in Liverpool

Liverpool offers outstanding opportunities for children to begin their rugby journey:

Rugby Tots and Mini Rugby in Liverpool

For the youngest players (ages 2-7), several clubs and organizations run specialized programs:

Rugby Tots Liverpool – Professional toddler rugby program running sessions in Allerton, Crosby, and Formby
Liverpool St Helens Minis – Weekend sessions for ages 4-6 at Moss Lane
Waterloo FC Mini Rugby – Popular Saturday morning sessions at Blundellsands
Liverpool Collegiate Micros – Introduction to rugby for ages 3-5 in Aigburth

Junior Rugby Clubs in Liverpool

For children aged 7-16, structured junior rugby is available across Liverpool’s suburbs:

Caldy RFC Juniors – Comprehensive age-group teams on the Wirral
Sefton Sharks Youth – Inclusive approach to youth development in North Liverpool
Liverpool St Helens Colts – Historic club with excellent coaching staff
Waterloo Youth – Strong development pathway in Crosby
Birkenhead Park Juniors – Well-established youth section on the Wirral

Women’s Rugby in Liverpool

Women’s rugby continues to grow across Liverpool, with dedicated teams and beginners’ sessions:

Liverpool St Helens Women – Established team with development squad
Waterloo FC Ladies – One of the region’s premier women’s teams
Sefton Sirens – Welcoming team with beginners’ programs
Birkenhead Park Ladies – Growing team on the Wirral
Liverpool University Women’s Rugby – Competitive university team welcoming students

Rugby Pitches and Training Facilities in Liverpool

Liverpool boasts excellent rugby facilities across the city region:

Moss Lane – Liverpool St Helens’ home ground with multiple pitches
Waterloo Road – Historic Blundellsands ground of Waterloo FC
Aigburth Vale – Liverpool Collegiate’s main pitch with clubhouse
Thornton Sports Centre – Home to Sefton RUFC with training facilities
The Upper Park – Birkenhead Park’s excellent playing surfaces
Calderstones Park – Public pitches occasionally used for junior rugby
Walton Hall Sports Centre – Community facility with rugby provision

Rugby Shops and Equipment in Liverpool

For equipment and merchandise, Liverpool offers several options:

DW Sports – Stores in Liverpool ONE and Edge Lane retail parks
Greaves Sports – Specialist equipment in Liverpool city centre
Sports Direct – Budget-friendly options at Liverpool ONE
JD Sports – Church Street store carrying rugby boots and training gear
Decathlon – Comprehensive range at New Mersey Retail Park

Rugby Academies and Coaching in Liverpool

Dedicated players can access specialized coaching through:

Sale Sharks Academy – North West talent identification programs
Liverpool John Moores University Rugby Academy – Educational pathway combined with rugby development
Merseyside Rugby Development – Community coaching initiatives
Private Rugby Coaching – Several professional coaches offer one-to-one sessions across Liverpool, particularly in Crosby and Wirral areas

Alternative Rugby Formats in Liverpool

Beyond traditional rugby, Liverpool offers:

Touch Rugby – Non-contact leagues run at Sefton RUFC and Wavertree Playing Fields
Tag Rugby – Popular in schools and summer leagues across the city
Walking Rugby – Sessions for older players at Liverpool St Helens
Beach Rugby – Summer events at Crosby and New Brighton beaches

Whether you’re searching for junior rugby clubs in Aigburth, women’s teams in Crosby, or walking rugby in West Derby, Liverpool’s diverse rugby landscape offers opportunities for everyone. With the iconic Liverpool skyline and the famous Royal Liver Building in the background, rugby thrives in this passionate sporting city, welcoming players from toddlers to veterans across both codes of the game.