Want To Play With The Big Girls?

The new season in the senior performance programme kicks off next month with trial dates set at all levels.Open trials for a Scotland Women squad of 33 will take place at Murrayfield on Sunday 2 September and triallists must be aged 18 by 1 January 2013. Registration will be at 10am and the day will include skills sessions, training, fitness, a match and should conclude by 4pm.Open trials for a Scotland Women under-20 squad will take place at Peffermill on Saturday 29 September and triallists must be 17, 18 or 19 on 1 September 2012, (that is, born in 1992, 1993 or 1994). A player who turns 17 between 2 September 2012 and the 31 May 2013 (that is, born in 1995) will require dispensation.Eligible 17-year-olds wishing to take part in either trial should have been approved and awarded exception to participate in senior rugby before the trial date. Further details can be found in the Are You Ready To Play Rugby (AYRTPR) section of the web site, specifically the Age Bands & Exceptions (Girls’ Rugby) 2012-13 Policy. Exception Form 5 should be used to apply.For both trials, players must be eligible to play for Scotland. All prospective players MUST bring documentary evidence of this to the trial days on 2 September (Scotland Women) and 29 September (Scotland Women under-20). This evidence comprises the completed eligibility declaration form, which can be found by clicking here; their full original birth certificate (photocopies are not accepted) and the full original birth certificates of any parents or grandparents through whom they are claiming eligibility. Extracts or photocopies of any required birth certificate will not be accepted.Players also need to bring the following kit: rugby kit (trainers and boots); waterproofs; medical tape; strapping (lineout tape); medical requirements; lunch and water.All players interested in attending are required to complete the registration form and return it to [email protected] by 30 August 2012.More information on the trials and eligibility can be obtained from [email protected] .The selection processFollowing the open trials on 2 September, a group of players will be selected and invited to attend the Scotland Series matches on 7 September, 21 September and 28 September.The Scottish Women’s performance programmeThe Scotland Women’s squad will compete in the Six Nations and players will take part in regular fitness testing, skills clinics (including specialist coaching sessions) and squad weekends.The Scotland Women under-20 squad will focus on preparing players to get involved in competitive senior international rugby and will develop core skills and fitness alongside the Scotland Women’s squad.