Railway’s Girls Schools 7s programme returns this season for its third year with more schools and age-grades than ever.
The programme involves Railway coaches running a structured rugby 7s programme for girls in schools in their community. For schools with existing rugby coaching, Railway provide the 7s programme to the coaches for implementation.
“The big change this year is that the programme will be run as a series, on exactly the same basis as the “IRB Women’s World Series” said Railway’s Head of Girls Rugby Alison Nolan. “There are five competitions on scheduled dates throughout the year, where each school accumulates points based on their finishing position in each tournament.”
The programme is of the highest quality and has been devised by Railway coach Mere Baker. Baker is one of the most decorated female players in the game and has played 15s and 7s for New Zealand, won the rugby league world cup with New Zealand, won the Hong Kong 7s (the most prestigious 7s tournament in the world) six times and has coached international women’s 7s rugby.
“There are three grades the competition will be held at – Senior (5th/6th years), TY and Junior (1st/2nd/3rd years),” said Nolan, “We have had huge interest from schools already, with a number of new schools coming on board this year. The success of the Irish Women’s team at the recent World Cup has given the game great profile and girls rugby has never been more popular.”
“The expansion of the programme from three tournaments to a series will give girls regular competition and allow them to see their progression over the course of their year, as well as the opportunity to play in a high profile finals day tournament. It will also allow the girls to build up relationships, rivalries and friendships with other girls in other schools, as well as competing in a format that the Irish and international stars compete at,” concluded Nolan. For further information or to enter your school, please see HERE or email girlsrugby@railwayunionrfc.com
