Chaired by WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis, who is Chair of the Six Nations Women’s Game Sub-Committee, an increased level of co-ordination, communications and promotion of the women and girl’s game across the Six Nations was agreed by the delegates from the six participating Unions.
Commenting at the conclusion of the Conference, Roger Lewis, WRU Group CEO and Chair of the Six Nations Women’s Game Sub-Committee said: “The energy generated regarding the Women’s International game earlier this year has been channelled into positive outcomes. Today’s conference shows that the Six Nations is a fantastic vehicle for promoting the women’s game and we all have some clear aims for growing the game.”
John Feehan, CEO of Six Nations Rugby Ltd, expressed the Six Nations Rugby’s strong commitment to growing the women’s game by their organising of the conference to generate communal learning and transfer of ideas.
“We will try to get more rugby fans to watch and participate in women’s rugby. More people are watching the Women’s Six Nations matches, both at the venues and with the broadcasting of more games and across social media,” he said.
The speakers at the Conference were : John Feehan, CEO, Six Nations Rugby Ltd ; Roger Lewis, WRU Group CEO/ Chair Six Nations Women’s Game Sub-Committee ; Alex Teasdale, Rugby Growth Development Manager, RFU ; Mary O’Connor, Director of Camogie Development, GAA ; Shelley Alexander, Editorial Lead on Women’s Sport, BBC ; Susan Carty, Women’s Development Manager, IRB and Scott Walker, Director of Rugby Development & Club Game, IRFU.
During the day, delegates from all the Six Nations discussed each Union’s pathway, the advances and plans for women’s participation in sport and in particular the scope for participation and growth of the women’s rugby game at all levels, especially in light of the forthcoming Women’s Six Nations, the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the inclusion of Women’s and Men’s Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games.
There were also presentations from outside of the game including the BBC’s Editorial Lead on Women’s Sport Shelley Alexander on their ‘Get Inspired’ campaign and from Mary O’Connor, the GAA’s Director of Camogie Development on the Camogie Experience.
