RUGBY club, the Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, have released an atmospheric 90-second film, encouraging 18-24 year-olds to give rugby a go.

The film, produced by Button Down Media, follows George, one of the Manchester Village Spartans’ many young players, as he describes some of the doubts and reservations he had about playing rugby.

Overcoming fears about having the right build and skills to be a rugby player, we hear George explain how joining the team was a huge confidence boost and how he feels comfortable to just be himself. Now he enjoys being part of wide social circle where everyone looks out for one another.

Dean Bee, chairman of The Manchester Village Spartans RUFC, said: “In 1998, our club was the world’s second LGBT rugby team ever to be established and we wanted to provide a friendly, encouraging and safe space for people, who maybe thought rugby wasn’t for them.

“Nearly twenty years on, as we bid to host the 2019 Union Cup in Manchester, we’re proud to continue to help young people discover rugby. We hope this short-film reaches many more people, who like George, could find out what a great part of their life, playing rugby in a team can actually be.”

The Manchester Village Spartans are supported by the Rugby Football Union’s Spirit of Rugby programme in making this film. Spirit of Rugby, funded by the Spirit of 2012, is uniquely led and devised by 16-24 year-olds with the aim of increasing participation through new and innovative events which engage groups not traditionally involved in rugby.

Rugby World Cup winner and now sports broadcaster Maggie Alphonsi is the Spirit of Rugby’s Ambassador. Seeing first hand the Spirit projects up and down the country, the former England player has been impressed with the Spartans work.

Alphonsi said: “This film is fantastic. As someone who was not from a rugby background – I was brought up with the big London football clubs all around me – I know first hand that it can be daunting trying a new sport, especially one when you think you might not be the right fit.

“But that is what is great about rugby. It truly is a game for all shapes and sizes, male, female, gay, straight, faith and whatever colour you are! Certainly I have made lifelong friends through rugby and done things I would never have got the opportunity to do. It is fantastic the work the Spartans are doing.”

You can view the film at www.facebook.com/villagespartans/videos/1051422144990824/