In just a few short years, girls rugby at the U14 and U12 levels has boomed at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club, and some of the young athletes recently found out what it’s like to play for the national women’s sevens team.
Three years ago, the club started a girls-only program at the U14 age level, which had previously been co-ed, and that change was an immediate success.
“We have seen a huge jump in the number of female players joining, and the rugby skills at that level have increased tremendously,” CRFC youth girls rugby co-ordinator Sherry Spence said.
Because of that success, the club added another girls team at the U12 level this year, one of a handful of girls-only tackle U12 teams on the Island.
“One of the great things about rugby [at the U12 and U14 levels] is that we have jamborees rather then full games,” Spence explained. “And this is great because even if a club doesn’t have enough players for a full girls side, those girls can come and join in to have the chance to play girls-only.”
The young players are enjoying rugby for a variety of reasons. U12 player Georgia Baker, who started the sport through a non-contact flag rugby program at her school, explained that experiencing a new sport and meeting new people is why she loves it. Another first-year U12 player, Zoey Spence, said she likes to play with her friends and “loves to tackle.”
Last Sunday, the Cowichan U12 and U14 teams had the opportunity to train with the national women’s sevens team at Rugby Canada’s facility in Langford. Although it was moved inside due to the weather, the session still went very well.
“The girls split up and did drills with the players, then went and took a tour of the Al Charron Centre, where these women’s sevens athletes as well as the men’s sevens and both XVs members train,” Sherry Spence reported. “Sara Kaljuvee, one of the players, took us through a day in the life of a sevens national player.”
Cowichan U14 player Lily Clarke, who has played for two years since starting out with the Intro to Rugby program, had a great time at the session.
“I loved meeting all the athletes and seeing the facility at Rugby Canada, the equipment, and the schedule of working out and what it takes to be a world-class athlete,” she said.
Clarke’s favourite things about rugby in general are “the jamborees and playing with lots of different athletes, and how incredibly nice everyone is — my teammates, coaches and even the opposite team.”
Spence has played and coached rugby at several different levels for many years, and is thrilled to see the growth of the program.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful to see young girls come join a sport and have the ability to play girls-only,” she said. “A majority of these girls wouldn’t have joined if they had to play co-ed.”
For more information about girls (or boys) rugby programs, visit www.cowichanrugby.ca