Fun evening at Girls Youth Rugby Academy

The opening night of the Girls Youth Rugby Academy at Newbridge Rugby Club got underway last evening with more than 20 young girls participating, writes Brian Byrne. The initiative will continue on Monday nights through the summer, and it's open to girls aged 12-15.

The tag rugby session was lively and fast-moving under the on-field guidance of Paul Treacey and the academy coaching team. The idea is to both encourage girls to begin playing the sport at a younger age, and also to provide ongoing new talent to the club's Senior Ladies team. The academy team includes Wayne Middleton for strength and conditioning development and Rory McCann to direct the rugby side.

In addition to girls new to rugby, there are a number who have been playing for several years. Beth, 15, who previously had a background in athletics, says she took up rugby because it’s a fun team sport where she can make friends. 

Lily Mae, 15, enjoys the fast and contact nature of the game. "It helps to release anger," she says with a grin that suggests she doesn't actually get angry much. For the new girls playing through the evening, she says they'll do well if they decide to stay on. "Sometimes they just do it for a day and then quit, but if they stay with it, they'll enjoy it."

For Elise, 13, the team element of the game is a big attraction, and she says she also loves the contact part. "I think it's great that there are new girls here trying it out," she says. "I think they'll stay if they have the right mindset and really want to play." 

From the initial development of the girls’ game in 2017, Newbridge RFC currently has about 100 girls involved, which represents a quarter of the club's playing members.

Beth, Lily Mae, and Elise.

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