Coach 'gutted' as thieves nicked girls' rugby team's kit

THE “GUTTED” coach of a girls’ rugby team has appealed for help after thieves nicked their brand new kit from his car.

David Reid, the under-14 girls’ coach at Rotherham Phoenix, said he was disappointed to see the kit pinched, as the team only had the shirts since after Christmas.

“It is devastating for the girls”, he said, adding that having the new kit had avoided the team having to borrow strip from the boys’ side.

Absolutely disgusted. Had 15 under 14 girls Rugby shirts stolen from my car last night. Please keep an eye out for them in #Rotherham they are no use to those who stole them, and it's devastating for our girls in our local community. @canterburyNZ @rotherhamtiser @rothtisersport pic.twitter.com/oYIiyUaoTL

— David Reid (@DMReidy) March 30, 2023

David said: “I am just walking around the area at the moment [to try and find the kits] just to see if they had dumped the kits somewhere.

“It happened last night at around 12.50am.

“Some people were just going around the street looking into cars. They managed to get into my car.

“There was nothing of value there, apart from some rugby balls and a first-aid kit, but also a bag in there that contained the girls’ kit.”

David said he had yet to find the kit yet.

While the kit was not especially costly, he said, it had emotional value as she had played their part in designing it.

“It is devastating for the girls,” he added.

David said a shirt cost between £40 and £45 and he had set up a fundraiser to cover the damages.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/rotherhamphoeniexrugby to donate and help the team.