Gloucestershire based global engineering company, Renishaw, is hosting a free girls only rugby open day with Gloucester Rugby during half-term, on Wednesday October 25th.

The event at Katharine Lady Berkeley's school in Wotton-under-Edge, aims to change perceptions about both rugby and engineering and to encourage girls to participate in both.

The event is open to girls aged between ten and 18. They will play rugby and take part in hands-on engineering activities to challenge the stereotypes and change perceptions of both sport and engineering as male dominated fields.

Renishaw will host the first part of the open day at its Wotton-under-Edge headquarters (pictured), offering fun science demonstrations from senior engineers and a short careers talk by female engineers. Attendees will have the opportunity to make an LED torch, which they can then take away.

The girls will also tour the Renishaw Innovation Centre, a world class facility, where they can see technology manufactured in Gloucestershire and used worldwide to address challenges in a number of sectors, including aerospace, automotive and healthcare.

After leaving Renishaw the girls will take part in activities led by the experts from Gloucester Rugby at Katharine Lady Berkeley's School. They will have a question and answer session with a Gloucester Rugby player, two sessions of rugby with Community Coaches and a prize giving.

"There are clear parallels between encouraging girls into rugby and girls into engineering," explained Chris Pockett, Head of Communications at Renishaw. "Both are dealing with issues of cultural and societal norms.

"Renishaw and Gloucester Rugby are working in their respective sectors to overcome the barriers, challenge misconceptions and beat the stereotypes. Now, we are combining forces to give girls in our local region an insight into the enjoyment and success that both can offer."

Renishaw's education outreach programme promotes engineering career opportunities to children and young people across the South West and South Wales. Over the last year, it has held work experience weeks, girls into engineering open days and other activities to inspire the engineers of the future.

To find out more about the Renishaw and Gloucester Rugby girls only open day and sign up for free, visit the Gloucester Rugby website www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/community/communityrugby/rugby_camps.php