Girls Rugby

Tag Rugby, Touch Rugby, Contach Rugby for Girls in School Year 5 to 12.

In 2010-2011 season we introduced rugby for girls aged 10 -14 as there was seen to be a need to cater for girls’ rugby as they entered their teen years. Old Emanuel aims to offer a type of rugby that suits the wishes of the girls and their parents. Some girls will want non-contact rugby (Tag) and we have invested in equipment and already played a match (winners!!!) and have a return game arranged.

Some girls are interested in contact rugby and we are investigating ways of an introduction in a safe, voluntary, controlled interesting way.

The RFU have seen the success of this programme with us asking the girls what they want and introducing games, on different sized pitches, and with different numbers, and laws of the games to suit. They have seen some programmes in other countries and done some research with RFUW. They have realised that they lose many players at this age and do not recruit or keep others who are interested, and realise that a variable approach is needed.

Developing the Girls’ Game
Our Club Chairman, Penny McCarthy, made a comment “We just want to get a rugby ball into the girls’ hands!” and this has been adopted as a slogan.

RFU have introduced a game called “Tag Plus” which incorporates some competition for the ball to start similar to netball, and the grouping of players to simulate scrums and lineouts. This creates useable space on other parts of the pitch for runners to exploit. They have also introduced a tagged player going to ground and placing the ball to simulate a tackle. The girls realise that this slows the attack and encourages them to pass before being tagged. This game does introduce aspects of the contact; there are drills and equipment such as bags and shields that can help the girls experience these aspects and decide if they wish to proceed. A tackle version can be introduced, carefully and safely, when the coaches deem it safe and the girls wish to proceed. Some “on-knees” tackling drills have been tried.

There is no intention for Old Emanuel to create a girls section in the club that plays just one of these styles. There is a thought that if there is an interest, then there will be tag teams, as well as contact teams; with some girls that play in both. There may even develop a Tag Plus team. Greater numbers will assist this.

There is no agenda other than to “Get the ball into the girls’ hands,” and let them have fun.
We feel that variety will keep the girls interested while they experience what is new to them.
We will listen to what they and their parents want, and introduce different aspects and find out what is enjoyed, and try and cater for all.

It is hoped that as the numbers continue to grow, we will be able to offer all aspects to cover the wishes of all players.
It is also expected that as girls get older their wishes may change and some playing contact may wish to play tag, and some playing tag, may wish to play contact. We intend to be responsive.

Rolling out the scheme
The pilot scheme being run by RFU at OE over these current weeks will be analysed and the successful parts rolled our nationally. We are lucky to have such talent attend our club. Parents should be assured that if any of the girls decline taking part in a contact drill, or game, or tell us that a parent has forbidden it, or they need parental approval, then we will not attempt to coerce or allow peer pressure to “force” the player to take part. Such would defeat what we are trying to do.

Mouth Guards
We do encourage all players to obtain mouth-guards, even in non-contact and Tag sessions, as players do run around and get in each other’s way. The Lions kit “shop” at the club has supplies.

Coaches: Gordon May, Penny McCarthy & Fergus McCarthy

To register your interest in our Girls Tag rugby squad either for the remainder of this season or for next season please pop along to training on a Sunday or e-mail us here