U12 girls’ teams on the rise

Scottish Rugby is encouraging clubs across the country to start up under-12 girls’ teams to establish opportunities and pathways to ensure young girls stay in the game. To support this, a resource to help clubs develop under 12 girls’ teams was launched at a Positive Coaching Scotland conference at BT Murrayfield earlier this month.The resource outlines how to develop teams for girls aged between 10 and 12 with a focus on creating a social and fun environment.Under the ten-year National Strategy for Women and Girls’ Rugby, Scottish Rugby is aiming to double the number of females playing the game by 2020.Head of Women and Girls’ Rugby, Sheila Begbie, said: “Scottish Rugby has made women and girls’ rugby a priority and one of the biggest potential growth areas in clubs across Scotland is the under-12 girls’ bracket.”We’ve now got three full-time Women and Girls’ Development Officers, who are working in the regions with clubs and schools to develop grassroots pathways for women and girls with a range of initiatives, including under-12 girls’ teams.We want to make sure every woman and girl in Scotland has the opportunity to be involved in rugby from the pitch to the board room.”Women and girls’ rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with over 1.5 million females participating, which is more than 20% of the overall playing population.Sheila said: “Here in Scotland, we’re experiencing growth across all levels, from minis to university and senior club teams.”Having 16 young women in the first season of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy has also created a pathway for talented players and something for young girls to strive towards.”But we need to keep building on this progress and grow our player base to improve the standard of women and girls’ rugby in Scotland from the grassroots game to the international stage.”Huntly dad kicks-off girls’ teamsSteven Hutcheon established the Huntly U12 Girls’ team last season to provide a route for his daughter to get back into rugby after she dropped out of the game following three years in mixed minis. He said: “Our girls can still play mixed rugby if they want, but the girls’ only teams gives them the choice.Girls learn in a different way from boys, so I had to adapt my coaching style. They’re interested in coming back every week to be with their friends – it has to be fun.”Following the success of the under-12s, Huntly established an under-15 team this season and about 40 girls have been involved over the past two years. Steven said: “Developing these teams has definitely benefitted the club and it’s been really important to have the support from our committee and club, alongside Chris Lee our Development Officer, as the girls are now seen as an integral section of the club.””We have also been building closer links with the Gordon Schools who have a history of girls’ rugby having competed in the Scottish Girls’ Cup Finals over a number of years led by Mr Allardice, Head of PE, who retired last year.”It’s not just been about building the team, we’ve had to find people to play and build a network and a profile for the girls’ side of the game.  Over the past two years there has been increased interest in the girls’ game with the Grampian Girls Hub and the first Grampian Girls Festival both getting going this year.”Other clubs such as Aberdeen Wanderers, Montrose, Auchterarder and Stirling are doing great work with girls’ rugby as well and have been very supportive.”You can find the under-12 girls’ resource here and more information on getting involved in women and girls’ rugby here.