‘Rookie Rugby Week’ activities will take place for female pupils of all ages throughout the week.
There were more than 400 primary school pupils at the Rookie Rugby event at Cwmbran Stadium today (Monday) and more than 300 secondary school pupils will be there on Thursday, with girls trying out different formats and alternative rugby-based activities. More than 250 secondary school pupils will be at USW Sports Park tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thursday and another 600 are expected at other large-scale events at Llandarcy, Parc y Scarlets and Parc Eirias this week while there will also be many more school-based activities and events.
The week also launches the new season for all female community rugby in Wales which all now comes under the Female Hub banner. Click here to find your nearest Hub: www.wru.wales/girlsrugby .
The season will run from March to December and hopes to align the pathway for women and girls to help boost the sport and grow the game.
National Cup and Plate Round 1 matches took place yesterday (March 1) with the Bowl and Under 18 Cup Round 1 matches next weekend along with Cup and Plate Round 2 and postponed Round 1 matches. All finals will take place at Principality Stadium on April 26 as part of the Road to Principality series of club, school and community events.
There are rugby opportunities for girls in every school, college and university with a rugby hub officer and demand for female rugby growing throughout education in Wales, while the 34 Female Hubs around Wales now offer rugby opportunities in all formats for all ages from under 7s.
The move to align the season and governance of female rugby is part of a key strategy to significantly grow the game and meet the growing demand from women and girls for playing and volunteering opportunities.
WRU General Manager, Women and Girls, Charlotte Wathan said, “We have over 1.5 million women and girls living in our communities and our pledge is to inspire a whole generation to play, support or be involved in rugby. We are on a journey to embed women and girls’ rugby in the hearts and minds of the people of Wales.
“We know there is ever-increasing demand from girls throughout Wales to play rugby, both in the education system and within the community. There is huge potential for significant further growth of women and girls’ rugby in the coming years and it’s vital we cater for that demand, while also ensuring there is a clear pathway to the senior game.
“The aim throughout this Rookie Rugby week and other Rookie Rugby events this season is to introduce thousands of girls to fun-based rugby formats and activities. There really is something for everyone in our game and it’s all about fun, friendships and fitness.
“The volunteers involved with the Female Hubs around Wales have worked hard to become vibrant and sustainable entities and with the alignment of the season, they are ready and waiting for any of the girls who enjoy rugby this week to turn up and give Female Hub rugby a try.
“We believe senior women’s rugby will also benefit from being part of the Hub family. There is now a clear pathway from junior to senior rugby in Wales and we feel the new season structure is the best model to maximise the increased interest and profile in the women’s game and make significant steps to further grow women’s rugby in Wales.”
Wales coach Chris Horsman was at the Cwmbran event. He said, ““It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of so many young players trying rugby activities, many of them for the first time.
“It’s a key aim of the WRU community department to grow the game for women and girls in Wales and meet the demand for more female playing opportunities along with other rugby roles. Increased numbers playing the game is certainly a key part in helping Wales to become more competitive internationally in the future.”
Go to wru.wales/girlsrugby to find your nearest Female Hub or email femalerugby@wru.wales
