Summer rugby for girls kicks off again around Wales this month after last year’s pilot proved a huge success.
More than 2000 girls in the u9 to u15 age groups regularly trained and played at the 27 new cluster centres for girls set up all over Wales for spring and summer 2016, and in conjunction with additional playing opportunities at the 80 school club hubs around Wales, the number of women and girls playing the national sport went from a total of around 2000, to more than 4000 regular participants.
The cluster centres were so successful in creating a vibrant, sustainable environment for girls’ rugby that 15 new u15 and u18 teams were established to allow girls to continue to play rugby in the traditional rugby season, and those teams have, in turn, more than doubled the rugby played in those age groups this season.
The summer cluster season is now back, providing more girls-only playing opportunities for minis and juniors throughout Wales. There is one new cluster – the Islanders in Barry, but in addition, the three North Wales clusters – the Ravens, Rebels and Mor Ladron have added satellite centres at nine additional venues to ensure there are easily accessible opportunities for girls to play rugby throughout mid and north Wales. Many clusters throughout Wales have added extra training evenings and age groups to their offering.
Another significant increase in girls taking part in regular rugby is expected this summer, thanks to a number of factors. A lot of work has been done during the winter months to support the clusters off the field with vital volunteers and for example upskilling new female coaches; the profile of women and girls’ rugby has continued to grow and three full-time WRU Game Changers have been employed with the sole pupose of increasing opportunities for women and girls in Wales.
Clusters launch media opportunity
Date: Monday 10 April
Time: 6-7pm
Venue: Caernarfon RFC (LL55 2YF)
In attendance: Wales Women internationals Elen Evans, Jess Kavanagh, Gwenllian Pyrs, Game Changer for North Wales Dave Roberts, WRU Women and Girls Manager Caroline Spanton, participating players, coaches and parents
For further information and to confirm attendance, contact Liz Jones, details below
Liz Jones
WRU Communications Manager
07736 056669
lizjones@wru.co.uk
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