It is an exciting time for Women’s Rugby, with two forms of the Game, 7s and 15s, now being played in schools and Clubs right across the country. Girls can play Rugby at school and Club level in all-girl or mixed gender teams up to the age of 12, starting with U6s Tag or non-tackle Rugby. Teenage girls can participate in school-based competitions provided by their State Union, while females aged over 18 can participate in Club-based competitions.
The inclusion of Rugby Sevens in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio has seen global growth of the game, and nowhere stronger than in Australia. A fun, fast and exciting Game, Sevens is being embraced by all ages and abilities. A number of pathways have been developed offering girls the opportunity to play socially and at representative level.
The Australian Women’s 15-a-side team embarked on the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign in France. The Wallaroos secured 7th after a win over Wales in the play-off match. Unicorn Oneata Schwalger was also selected for the Wallaroos, competing in both the Tri Nations and the World Cup.
Women’s Rugby in Australia has received a significant boost with the reintroduction of the Australian Rugby Union’s National Women’s 15s Championship.
The Melbourne Rugby Club’s Women’s team were Minor Premiers and Runners up in 2015, losing a very hard fought battle against Moorabbin in the 15s Grand Final. It was a bittersweet end to the season with the 7s team taking out the Premiership in 2015.
Many of the team’s current players have represented Victoria in the 7s and 15s State teams. In 2015 the team had six players represented in the 15s State team with Alana Thomas as the Assistant Coach. In 7s, Rebecca Walker was named as co-Captain, playing along side two other Unicorns.
Melbourne’s current Women’s Coach, John Pulepule wants to build on last year’s success, “The Women’s team has a strong and supportive culture and social network. Our team is on the lookout for a Manager that will fit that culture. If you join our team, you’ll instantly have twenty plus Unicorn sisters; become a part of the largest rugby Club in Victoria; and help the team on our road to victory.”
The team is already working hard to ensure that they have a shot at the title again this year and new Players are warmly welcomed. So if you are new to rugby; want to try out a new sport; or have played before and want to get back into it, come to Melbourne Rugby Club and Try Rugby.
Numbers are looking strong for 2016 and this season the Unicorns will field a Women’s team (18+) and are now recruiting for a Youth Girls team (15-17 yrs).
New Competition – Youth Girls Team (15-17 yrs)
Victoria now has a new competition for Youth Girls. The 7-a-side competition will be played on Saturday mornings from April 2016 (TBA). As this is a new competition, the Melbourne Rugby Club is hoping to secure a range of players and volunteers:
– Head Coach
– Team Manager
– Female Players (15-17 yrs)
This team will be fully supported within the current Junior program and more information will be announced regarding this team over the coming weeks.
