Maa Maas Rugby Club Supports Mothers Returning to Sport

The Maa Maas rugby club was established to provide opportunities for women who have had children to return to playing rugby. The initiative was started by a group of mothers who identified challenges faced by women rejoining the sport after childbirth.

Annette Bevan, a mother of two and player at Reading Abbey RFC, is one of the coordinators and co-founders of the Maa Maas club. She worked with Daisy Travers and Trish Brown to develop the concept, which grew from a social networking group called Mums Who Play Rugby.

The Maa Maas club has attracted interest from a wide group of women, with around 920 followers on its Facebook page. Approximately 150 women have registered to participate in matches with the club, reflecting the demand for such opportunities among mothers.

The club’s activities include participation in rugby tournaments, such as the Yeovil 10s, where the team included mothers from locations including Guernsey and Jersey. A match involving the Maa Maas club is scheduled to be held in Newcastle in April, further expanding its reach.

What the numbers show

• About 920 people follow the Maa Maas club on Facebook
• Roughly 150 women have signed up to play matches
• The Mums Who Play Rugby group had over 600 members by summer 2025
• The Maa Maas team played its first tournament as an invitational team in August 2025
• Reading Abbey RFC received £15,000 in National Lottery funding for facilities

The Maa Maas initiative was designed to address specific barriers mothers encounter when returning to rugby after having children. The founders identified a need for dedicated support and community for women in this situation.

Reading Abbey RFC, where Annette Bevan plays, received £15,000 from the National Lottery to construct changing facilities for women and girls. This funding supports the infrastructure needed for clubs like Maa Maas to operate and welcome more participants.

The Maa Maas concept began with online networking and quickly led to the formation of a team that could compete in tournaments. The group’s first appearance as an invitational team took place in August 2025, and it continues to organize matches and events for mothers interested in rugby.

Through its activities and growing membership, the Maa Maas club demonstrates a model for supporting women who wish to return to sport after having children. The club’s founders continue to coordinate matches and expand opportunities for mothers in rugby.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.