Currently girls only rugby starts at Under 15s with girls being able to play two years up from U12s or play mixed rugby with the boys from U7s-U13s. This has limited success in attracting and retaining girls in the game.
The recommendation by the WRU is to offer girls-only rugby at U13s whereby from the age of 11 the girl can choose to stay with the boys and / or play girls only rugby at local Development Centres.
The rationale behind this is to remove the barrier that girls do not want to play with boys in the clubs and prevent the fear of injury playing with girls two years older than them. The girl’s only team at 11 will capture the interest created from the WRU Yr 5/6 Primary School mixed TAG rugby delivery and Yr 7/8 Touch Rugby Programme.
The development centres will be selected around centres of population as per the recommendation of the Player Development Officer. The WRU Player Development Officer is responsible for identifying suitable clubs to host them.
Based at clubs the recommendation for this squad is to play during the summer months from March to July. The timeline for establishing the first centres of development is April 2012.
The WRU is aiming to establishing 15 centres across Wales with a minimum of 15 players in each centre. It is hoped that this will provide a pathway for girls to have a continued involvement in the game.
One of the Blues development Centres is already up and running in Aberdare with international players Vicky Owens and Lowri Harries in attendance. The following centres are due to kick off across Wales so please come along to find out more.
BLUES
Contact: Megan Snape Blues Womens and Girls Development Officer
For more information: snape.m@hotmail.co.uk 07815 710062
There will be an international player attending the launch of the U13 development centre:
Blues West (Pontyclun RFC) Thursday 26th April 5:45-6:45
Blues South (Barry RFC) Sunday 20th May 1pm-2pm
Blues Central (Cardiff Quins RFC) 2nd May 5:30-6:30
Blues North (Aberdare RFC)
Coaches: Yan Bevan and Steen Evans
Venue: Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Playing Fields Â
Time: 6:00-7:30 Day: Monday Nights
Blues West (Pontyclun RFC) Â
Coaches: Michelle Fitzpatrick, Cat Grundy, Sophie Francies
Venue: Windsor fields, Pontyclun RFCÂ Â
Time:Â 5:45-6:45 Day: Thursday Nights
Blues South (Barry RFC)
Coahces: Ray Gallivan, Frank Gregg, Geoff Thomas, Nicky Yapp, Rebecca Boffy, Nigel Boffy
Venue: Reservoir Fields Merthyr Dyfan Road
Time: 1pm-2pm Day: Sundays
Blues Central (Cardiff Quins RFC)
Coaches: Owen Smith, Jo Jones, Bethany
Venue: The Diamond Ground Forest Farm Road
Time: 5:00-6:30Â Â Â Â Â Day: Wednesday Nights
All three centres will be in contact with Megan Snape (Regional Womens Liasion) and feed the eight senior teams – Cardiff Quins, Pontyclun, Barry, Sea View, Gwernyfed, UWIC, Abercwmboi, Tylorstown
OSPREYS
Contact Lisa Jones Ospreys Womens and Girls Development Officer for more information lsjones@wru.co.uk 07584 488278
There will be an international player attending the launch of the U13 development centre:
Swansea – 23rd April 6-7pm
Neath – 17th April 6-7pm
Bridgend – 26th April 6.30-7.30pm
Bridgend Eagles
Coaches – Head Coach Tom Cole, Support Staff Paul James and Pencoed RFC senior ladies.
Venue – Training at Woodlands Training Fields Pencoed,
Day / Time – Thursday Nights, 6.30-7.30pm, starting 26th April.
Neath Vixens
Coaches – Heach Coach AndrewThomas, Support Staff Sian Williams, Dan Wilson & Andrew Brown.
Venue – Training at Court Herbert,
Day / Time – Tuesday Nights 6-7pm, starting 17th April.
Swansea Sirens
Coaches – Head Coach Andrew Williams, Support staff Martin Newbry and Laura Murton.
Venue – Training at Dunvent RFC,
Day / Time – Monday Nights 6-7pm, starting 23rd April.
All three centres will be in contact with Lisa Jones (Ospreys Regional Womens Liasion) and feed the six Ospreys Women’s clubs – Neath Athletic, Nantyfyllon, Maesteg Celtic, Gorsenion and Pencoed.
Womens rugby has been extremly successful within the Ospreys region this season, winning the Senior Cup with 3/3 wins and the U18’s winning 2/4 plus a convincing win against a Canadian touring side. The region has also produced five senior internationals for this year’s 6nations!
SCARLETS
West Pembrokeshire U13 Girls Development Centre
Haverfordwest RFC
Mondays – 6pm-7pm
Contact – Clodagh Llewhellin – 07769115124
Start Date – 23rd April 2012
Player Appearance 30th April
East Pembrokeshire U13 Girls Development Centre
Whitland RFC
Fridays – 7-8pm
Contact Suzanne Davies – 07966694323
Started Date – Currently running
Player Appearance 4th May
DRAGONS
Caerphilly RFC International players attend Monday 16th April
Coaches: Head coach, Paul John (Level 2) and assistant coach Geraint Williams (Level 1)
Train: Mondays, 6.30 till 7. 30
Venue: Caerphilly Rugby Club. Virginia Park, Virginia Close, Caerphilly
Newport High School Old Boys
Head coach Annemarie Rogers (level 2). Assistant coach David Hodges (level 2) and Assistant coach Donna Hurley (level 1)
Train: Saturday Mornings 10am to 11.30am
Venue: N.H.S.O.B. Yewtree lane, Caerleon
Garndiffaith RFC
Head Coach Paul Long (Level 1). Assistant coach Meirion Jones and assistant coach Sam Jones, both coaches will be doing their level 1 next month.
Train: Wednesdays 6. 30 till 7. 30 and Sundays depending on fixtures at 11am till 12.
Venue:Â Garndiffaith, Lasgarn View, Pontypool, Torfaen
All centres will be in contact with Luke Williams Dragons regional girls and women’s liaison and will feed the Dragons women’s sides, Crosskeys, Blackwood, Croesyceiliog and Blaenau Gwent.
