WHAT IS IT?
PLAY RUGBY is a great way to get secondary school girls involved with rugby in a safe and
controlled environment. The Community Rugby Officers (CROs) or Women’s Development
Officer will engage local schools and Rugby clubs in the PLAY RUGBY programme in order to
increase female participation in schools and local rugby clubs.
Each Branch have developed their own plan but usually the local Community Rugby Officers
will spend a total of 8 weeks on this programme in your area. The first 3 coaching sessions may
take place within class time/lunch time, the next 3 coaching sessions may take place on school
grounds after hours and the final 2 coaching sessions may take place in your local rugby club.
Here the player will be introduced to their new rugby team, club and coach. The CRO’s may
also set up rugby blitzes for your students to take part in. Once established, your team can
join in to Branch run school competitions.
WHAT TYPE OF RUGBY ARE WE PLAYING?
Rugby is the game for all with a position for all sorts of shapes, size and ability. Schools can
choose to play either Leprechaun Rugby or full contact rugby.
Leprechaun Rugby is a fast and exciting soft contact game of touch rugby, encouraging the
positive development of running, balance and handling skills. It is a very flexible sport that can
be played by any number of players and the size of the pitch can be increased or decreased
accordingly. As Leprechaun Rugby is a soft contact game it can be played on a variety of
surfaces; grass, asphalt/tarmac or in sports halls.
For schools who choose to move on to full contact rugby, there are many variations that can be
used. The Community Rugby Officer or Women’s Development Officer will assist you with
introducing the rules of full contact rugby to your players. The game may be played at 7, 10,
13 or 15 aside depending on the number of players available.
WHY SHOULD OUR CLUB GET INVOLVED?
Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Your club will benefit from
being able to provide rugby to the whole community. This programme will also enable your
club to create positive links to secondary schools in your area and develop girl’s age grade
rugby in your club.
WHY SHOULD OUR SCHOOL GET INVOLVED?
This programme will provide another opportunity for the girls in your school to become more
active. Being involved with rugby will not only develop your pupils’ fitness, but will also help
to develop communication skills, leadership skills, the ability to focus and many more life
skills.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR CLUB?
Currently there are grants for clubs that have women’s and girls’ teams which are available
through the IRFU Support Scheme. These grants change each year and so clubs should contact
their local Womens’ Development Officer for most up to date information. For those clubs who
set up a Play Rugby Girls programme with their local schools, the CRO will provide the club
with the PLAY RUGBY Girls pack. Each pack contains, 1 kit bag, 6 balls, cones, & bibs.
Additional coaching resources are available for download on the Play Rugby section.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR SCHOOL?
Your Provincial Branch will supply your school with a Community Rugby Officer (CRO) to coach
the girls for 6 weeks. The CRO will have all of the resources required to run the coaching
sessions. Should your school wish to continue coaching rugby they may request a PLAY RUGBY
GIRLS pack (limited availability) which contains balls, cones & bibs.
Additional coaching resources are available for download on the Play Rugby section.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF OUR CLUB?
Prior to the commencement of the programme you will be required to provide an appropriately
qualified coach, suitable changing facilities and access to pitches for training. Your club should
be committed to developing sustainable structures in which women’s rugby can grow and
flourish as an integral part of your club. Your club must have signed up to the IRFU Child
Welfare Policy and have a Child Welfare Officer in place.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF OUR SCHOOL?
Prior to the commencement of the programme you will be required to provide a suitable area
for the coaching sessions both in school class time/lunch time and after hours for all 6
sessions. A teacher must be present for all of the school coaching sessions.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Schools and clubs can work together to continue their partnership in developing girls rugby in
the community. A PLAY RUGBY GIRLS Resource pack will be left with the club/school to
continue the development of the girl's team.
Teachers will be able to access the coaching resources by downloading content from the Play
Rugby section on the website.