The growth of the women and girl’s game is best illustrated by playing the numbers game:
- There are now around 4,800 girls aged under 18 taking part in rugby activities in Wales
- That has created a global playing population on the female side of the game of around 6,500
- Penygraig, Treorchy, Abercwmboi, Ynysybwl and Newport HSOB are new teams in the National Leagues this season
- That has caused an expansion to six leagues featuring 38 clubs
- Internationally, Wales has already qualified for the 2025 World Cup in England
- Ioan Cunningham’s side will also be competing in the WXV2 tournament in South Africa later this month
- There are now international teams at U18 and U20 levels
- More than 80 players turned up for trials last weekend for the Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning
- The Thunder and Lightning sides will play home and away games for the first time in the Celtic Challenge this season
“It was great to see the men’s community game kick-off in grand style last weekend and now our women return to action this weekend,” said WRU CEO Abi Tierney.
“The club game continues to expand as more clubs step forward to cater for the growing demand from our female players to play competitively. We saw some fantastic finals at Principality Stadium at the end of last season and the standard, as well as the numbers, is rising significantly.
“You can’t be what you can’t see, and the professionalisation of the game at international level has helped to drive the growth of the women and girl’s game here in Wales. Seeing new clubs emerge is great news and there is now a working pathway in existence for those players who want to pursue their dreams.
“I was delighted to welcome our Patron, HRH William, Prince of Wales, to Parc y Scarlets earlier this week to help in our ‘Lost Caps’ project which is aimed at recognising the pioneers of the women’s game in Wales who played in the early years for the Welsh team and failed to get full recognition.
“That was another step in the right direction for our game, just as this Sunday will be with the first games in the National league programme. Many thanks go to all the clubs, coaches and volunteers who make it all possible and ‘Good Luck’ to all the players.”
The winners of the league titles last season will all be chasing more glory in the coming season. Llandaff North won the Premiership, Bonymaen took the Championship crown, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd were winners in the East, Porthcawl in the West and Shotton Steel in the North.
It proved to be a great season for Llandaff North as they also won the National Cup, beating Seven Sisters 85-14 in the final. They scored 13 tries as they made up for the disappointment of losing to Pontyclun Falcons in 2023.
Bonymaen pipped Haverfordwest 32-26 to win the Plate title and Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd held off Old Penarthians to clinch the Bowl.
For the 2024-25 campaign the expanded WRU Admiral National League structure will be made of the following teams:
Premiership (8): Bonymaen, Burry Port, Caernarfon, COBRA, Llandaff North, Pontyclun, Seven Sisters, Whitland
Championship (8): Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd, Gwernyfed, Haverfordwest, Lampeter, Llantwit Fardre, Old Penarthians, Porthcawl, Ynysddu
East (6): Blackwood, Deri, Dowlais, Ebbw Vale, Newport HSOB, Senghenydd
Central (6): Abercwmboi, Penygraig, Taffs Well, Treorchy, Whitchurch, Ynysybwl
West (6): Morriston, Newcastle Emlyn, Pembroke, Tondu, Tumble, West Swansea Hawks
North (4): Abergele, Holyhead, Llangefni, Wrexham
The games will kick-off on 15 September and run through to February. There will also be cup competitions to add into the mix.
WRU ADMIRAL NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUND 1 FIXTURES – 15 SEPTEMBER
Premiership: Bonymaen v Burry Port; Caernarfon v COBRA; Llandaff North v Pontyclun; Whitland v Seven Sisters
Championship: CR Cymry Caerdydd v Old Penarthians; Gwernyfed v Ynysddu; Haverfordwest v Lampeter Town; Porthcawl v Llantwit Fardre
Central: Abercwmboi v Ynysybwl
East: Blackwood v Ebbw Vale; Deri v Dowlais
West: Pembroke v Newcastle Emlyn; Tondu v Morriston
