Rugby in Education

Schools and colleges rugby is growing for girls year on year, with higher engagement from students and increased number of schools participating in festivals, competitive fixtures and National competitions across the country.

Rugby for girls within education is available in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Alternative learning sites, colleges and universities.

Educational teams are predominantly* played in the following age bandings: –

Primary (Yr5/6), U12’s (Year 7 only), U14’s (Year 8 & 9), U16’s (Year 10 & 11), U18’s (Year 12 & 13).

*Subject to competition rules and regulations.

National Competitions

Welsh Schools and Colleges League

In 2024 the Welsh Rugby Union established its first Welsh Schools and Colleges League (WSC), consisting of six committed establishments delivering a bespoke rugby programme for girls aged 16-18.  The rugby programme delivers 12 hours of rugby contact per week, inclusive of rugby training and strength and conditioning with fixtures between September – December. This combines the opportunity for students to manage their educational and playing aspirations.

2024 Welsh Schools & Colleges League consisted of the following establishments:-

Coleg Cardiff and the Vale

Coleg Gwent

Coleg Llandovery

Coleg Llandrillo

Coleg Sir Gar

Coleg Y Cymoedd

National U18’s Schools and Colleges Cup

Schools and colleges that are not part of the ‘WSC’, are eligible to enter the National U18’s Cup competition. Teams play through the following series of events to conclude with two finalists competing for the National Title: –

  1. Regional schools and colleges qualifiers
  2. National Playoffs (Semi-final)
  3. National Cup final.
Welsh Schools and Colleges Conference Final
National 7's

The WRU Urdd 7s is the flagship national schools 7s competition held annually around Easter at Pontcanna fields, Cardiff. this year 7th to 11th of April

The competition is run in partnership between the WRU and Urdd, ensuring that all schools and their pupils across Wales have the opportunity for a fun participation competition of rugby 7s.

The competition provides opportunities for Primary, Secondary, Colleges, Univeritises as well as ALN establishments the opportunity to enter and attend throughout the week of the WRU Urdd 7s.

Check out the video to see whats in store for this year

If you would like to see more of last years competition please click here to go through to the Urdd 7s website.

https://www.urdd.cymru/en/sports/competitions/upcoming-national-competitions/urdd-wru-7/

Educational Rugby

Primary school rugby

In the regions it is in the main delivered by WRU Hub Officers who coordinate and deliver various local festivals. This provision is to raise the profile of rugby within local primary schools to help aid transition of pupils both into local rugby clubs and their secondary hub school they will be attending.

Secondary school rugby

As the girls game grows more and more opportunities are available for girls to try and then compete at this level

For most schools the opportunity arises through extra curricula festivals and playing opportunities organised locally through Hub Officers/PE staff and local school districts.  These will be in a variety of playing formats from 7s, 10s, 12s and 15 a side.

College and 6th Form

Each region offers students an opportunity to study while training and playing in the highest level of competitions in Wales. That being the WRU Welsh Schools and Colleges Girls National Conference competition.

Universities

Rugby in universities is serviced by British University College Sport (BUCS) which runs all competitive National competitions.