From only 12 women’s sides in 1983, there are now around 230 senior clubs, 100 student clubs, 100-150 U16 junior clubs providing for women and girls in England. Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and all clubs should be aware of the enormous benefits a women’s section can bring:
• extra members
• extra income
• more takings at the bar
• more volunteers for club development
• attention and publicity for the club, improving the chances of sponsorship and grant aid.
Structure and competitions
Women and girls rugby is governed in England by the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW), based at Newbury RFC.
The Great Britain Women’s RFU was formed in 1983, but the modern RFUW for England was formed in 1994. The RFUW aims to:
"raise playing standards in all levels of the game, providing opportunities for all players to enjoy the game and develop their maximum potential. To develop teams which can ensure success in international competition and to extend and support the development of U16s rugby"
The RFUW has 4 Divisions covering 9 Regions:
• North Division (North East and North West Regions)
• Midlands Division (West Midlands, East Midlands, Eastern Counties Regions)
• South Division (South East, South West (north), South West (south) Regions)
• London Division (London Region)
Both the RFU and the RFUW have a strong commitment to youth development, with paid and voluntary Rugby Development Officers working on a range of national and local programmes.
Participation
Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing women’s sports. Women’s clubs have increased significantly over the past decade, from approximately 2,000 players in 1988 to 8,000 players by 1998.
Despite such unparalleled growth, the future development of women’s rugby is currently restricted due to:
• lack of administrative support to deal with further growth
• insufficient resources to deal with the growth of girls’ rugby
• cost of travelling preventing clubs from entering the two national leagues
• lack of provision for girls wishing to play after the age of 11.
Establishing a women’s section
Clubs have experienced genuine problems with setting up or maintaining women’s sections:
"Our catchment area is too small, we attempted 5 years ago but we only attracted 5 members"
"We have a women’s section but we had no-one to play against last season."
"There’s no interest at our club, the girls play lacrosse."
"Having run a team for 4 yrs and witnessed its demise, we would run a team but would doubt its survival."
"We’ve tried it and cannot get enough players - need to be close to college/university."
"We are waiting for financial assistance to upgrade female facilities on site."
"We did a local survey which shows support. An organiser is required."
"There was a junior team but interest waned, primary girls involved but not willing to participate in teenage years."
"For over 2 years we tried but could not get a full team. Women went to other clubs"
"We’ve had enquiries but no suitable changing facilities and only 2 pitches - up to the limit in wear and tear."
"We cannot get enough men let alone females!"
Many of these problems can be avoided or overcome, but there are important issues to consider if your women’s section is to be successful. If your club would like to:
• create a link with an existing women’s side
• set up a new women’s side
• establish age group sides for girls
• ensure girls are incorporated into an existing or new minis section.
The following points may help:
• first contact your County RDO or Regional RFUW representative and discuss your intentions
• find out where the nearest existing side play and contact them for advice. Remember that establishing a new club can sometimes damage existing sides! Ensure that whatever is decided is a "win-win" for all concerned
• think about the sustainability of the new section, and decide how your club might cope with issues such as players leaving the area to go to university
• ensure that the new section is completely integrated into all aspects of the club, and that the women have access to equipment, coaching, the clubhouse, the bar, the Committee meetings and other services.
General areas of club development also apply to the women’s section:
• finding more people to help (which particular roles?)
• junior girls, age group sides and minis
• coaching: Women Only Foundation or Level 1 Courses have been established, but often male coaches are very effective when they treat the women’s game seriously.
• safety, risk assessment, first aid, emergency procedures
• child protection and codes of conduct: are all coaches aware of appropriate conduct at sessions for girls and women (training is available – see 3.6 Coaching or contact your County RDO)
• promotion and publicity
• links with schools, local organisations and the community: you may need to promote the girls only sessions to the Girls PE department of the local school
• facility development to support new programmes – e.g are your changing rooms appropriate; can women always have access?
Further information
The RFUW
Newbury Rugby Club
Newbury Sports Arena, Monks Lane, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7RW
Tel: 01635 42333 Fax: 01635 43016
E-mail: NATADMIN_RFUW@compuserve.com
Women Friendly Sports Facilities - Facilities Factfile 1 Recreation Management (Sport England, 1999)
The Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport (Sports Council1994)
Single Sex Sport and Leisure Provision (ISRM, October 1997)
Women and sport - from Brighton to Windhoek: facing the challenge (UK Sport, 1998)
Active Club Pack (Sport England, 2000)
Women’s Sport Foundation
305-315 Hither Green Lane, Hither Green, Lewisham, London SE13 6TJ. Tel / Fax: 020 8697 5370
Email: info@wsf.u-net.com |
