Ryan Jones has launched a new Welsh rugby plan to get more girls playing the sport.
The former Wales captain – who was appointed as the Welsh Rugby Union’s head of participation earlier this month – is heading a scheme aimed at creating more teams who would offer rugby in the summer.
Teams will be set up at 28 new cluster centres around the country providing the opportunity for girls-only rugby from Under 9s to Under 15s from April to July.
The move will cater for a huge demand from girls to play rugby, evident from a Wales-wide consultation last spring and from the 73 school-club hubs already providing an opportunity for girls to play rugby.
Former Ospreys No.8 Jones, who took part in a rugby session for girls at Llanwern High School in Newport said: “Providing opportunities for women and girls to play the game, but also as coaches, referees and administrators, is a key strategic priority for the Welsh Rugby Union.
“Women’s rugby is a sport currently experiencing huge growth around the world. Rugby Sevens will be an Olympic sport later this year for both men and women and we have two girls currently pushing for selection with Team GB.
“Another Six Nations win for Wales Women will hopefully ensure qualification for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup and there is also the possibility of a Wales Women Sevens side participating at the 2018 Commonwealth Games so it’s important that girls have equal opportunities to progress within the game from a young age.
“The new clusters will provide an outlet for the demand we’ve seen exist in Wales for organised girls rugby. Working closely with the school club hubs, the clusters should produce a conveyor belt of talent for the senior women’s game, but importantly will increase participation levels and give girls an enjoyable experience to stay involved in rugby for the long term plus help to increase fitness levels within a key age group for girls.”
WRU national women’s manager Caroline Spanton said: “We hope the brighter evenings and warmer weather will help attract more girls to rugby in a safe and fun environment, and it also means girls won’t have to choose between rugby and other team sports such as hockey and netball.
“The format of rugby on offer will be fun and based on the philosophy of stage and not age where possible, meeting the needs and also desire from the girls themselves. It will range from tag rugby at Under 9 through to touch rugby and full contact, depending on interest.
“We have worked closely with clubs and development staff within the regions to identify user-friendly venues so that girls can play meaningful rugby within their communities.
“We are limiting the numbers of these across Wales whilst the game grows so we can provide a sustained programme for the long term.. We are thrilled with the level of interest and engagement we’ve seen for the clusters already. I would like to thank Sport Wales for their support in this new approach.”
Cluster rugby kicks off after Easter and all girls interested in playing at one of the clusters should go to wru.wales/girlsrugby to register their interest.
Any perspective coaches, referees, first aiders, general volunteers are also encouraged to register their interest in the same way and they will be contacted with more information.
There are cluster centres in all five Welsh rugby regions, CLICK HERE to see the full list and find out more.
