The second day of open trials for the Leinster Senior Women’s Team 2009 took place in Greystones RFC last weekend with 48 players representing 17 Provincial clubs taking part…
The trials tested each players rugby skills with multiple training drills over the course of the day. The players were tested on their individual skills, unit skills and team play, along with an exam by the teams physio -Dawn Cantwell.
Head Coach Philip Doyle, along with Team Manager Niamh Hughes and senior squad members, Tania Rosser and Orla Brennan assessed each of the players throughout the day on the following areas: their strengths, weaknesses, understanding of the game, ability to think on their feet, capacity to learn and their commitment to play competitive rugby.
Commenting on the trials, Head Coach Philip Doyle said: “It has been good. I am very happy with the commitment of all players at all levels. These are open trials so we get players with very different levels of skill and experience. The standard of rugby has improved a lot since I was last involved with Leinster Women’s Rugby with more players showing promise than I was expecting to find.
“For those who get picked, the level of commitment and training goes up dramatically from here and the girls will have the challenge of reaching the same commitment level and standard of rugby displayed by the existing members of the Leinster Senior Women’s team.”
Niamh Hughes, Team Manager, added: “It was very encouraging to see so many enthusiastic players from so many clubs, all of whom showing a high standard of rugby skill. The last two weekends have reinforced our optimism for a successful season of Interprovincial Women’s Rugby.”
For the players who attended the trials, it was hard work, but work they were very happy to do with hope of a call up to the senior squad. Whoever is lucky enough to get picked will know that under Doyle’s watch, the level of commitment and professional care given to the team will be second to none.
