Here Come the Girls!
23rd October 2008 By Munster Rugby
Women’s and girls rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland and Europe, and Munster are undoubtedly aiding in this growth.
This season sees 15 adult teams competing and 28 underage teams playing in one of the 3 different age categories at club level. The game is also being developed rapidly at schools level with last years U-16 Girls School Leprechaun Rugby League growing from 14 to almost 40 schools entering to date. This year also sees the introduction of an U-18 full contact competition at schools level and a TAG rugby tournament. At primary schools level, TAG rugby is being taught by over 30 Youth Development Officers and girls will be taking part in their local and county TAG rugby blitzes as well as having the opportunity to be apart of their county 6th Class Girls Skills Day, where they will be introduced to various elements of contact rugby. At representative level for the coming season, the province will have a Munster Senior Women’s Team competing in the Inter-Provincial Series, a Munster A Team and also a Munster U-18 Girls Team.
This season Munster boasts 5 teams at the top flight of Irish Women’s Adult rugby with Ballincollig, Clonmel, Highfield, UL Bohemians and Waterpark all competing in the All Ireland Division 1 League. Newcomers Kinsale along with last years Division 3 teams Clanwilliam,Young Munster and winners Tralee shall join Nenagh, Youghal and previous Division 1 entrants Shannon will play in this years All Ireland Division 2 League in what will be a close and entertaining South section to the league. Munster will also have Abbeyfeale, Galbally and Highfield playing in a Division 3 League.
The underage leagues which will begin at the end of October see a number of new clubs such as Carrigaline, St.Marys and Young Munster, coming on board in what will be the first season that Munster will have 3 Age Grades. This season there will be competition at U-14, U-16 and U-18 for girls, with U-18 having 2 divisions. This is only the 3rd season of age grade rugby for girls and is constantly growing with Abbeyfeale and Kanturk already in training and preparation with a girls section for next seasons league.
The Munster Branch currently employs a full time Women’s Regional Development Officer and a Girls Youth Development Officer who are supported by a number of Regional Development Officers and Youth Development Officers, whose remit also includes women’s development in their area.
If you would like any further information on Women’s Rugby in Munster, please feel free to contact Gemma Crowley, Munster Women’s Rugby Development Officer on 086-8240598 or e-mail gemmacrowley@munsterrugby.ie
