SC Rugby has welcome mat out for female players
South Canterbury Rugby is confident the region is ready for an influx of women and girls keen to get into the game in the wake of the Black Ferns’ triumphant World Cup run.
Women’s development officer Caro Rhodes said the World Cup had been ‘‘an eye-opener to the nation’’ with women’s rugby previously ‘‘relatively hidden away’’.
Rhodes believed the level of visibility would draw many new faces to the code.
‘‘There’s been enough viewing on TV and enough in the media to really reach so many people and a lot more mums and dads and grandparents and families have actually realised the power of what rugby can do.
‘‘And it’s not just about the game – you just had to look at the Black Ferns faces to see how much they’re actually loving the whole environment, the whole action they get from the game – it’s pretty awesome.’’
She said the supportive culture on display among the Black Ferns is reflected in rugby at the regional level.
‘‘I think that’s something we’re doing really well at South Canterbury Rugby as well. It’s welcoming for partners and children, and the whole family environment is really, really powerful.
Rhodes said the way the women’s game is being played is different.
‘‘It’s the more old-style rugby where you’ve got your positions and the Black Ferns have brought a lot of finesse into the game, as have the sevens girls.’’
‘‘It’s not just that they’re not necessarily taking the tackles, but they are keeping the ball alive and spreading it wide. And you can just see the fun the girls are having on the field as well.’’
Boosting the women’s game in South Canterbury began long before the World Cup spotlight, said Rhodes.
‘‘It’s something we have been chipping away at. I’ve been involved in girls and women’s rugby for six years and our resources are growing. We are going to have to reach out and ask for more coaches and managers and resources. But as more parents get on board, as the game keeps growing, that naturally grows it as well.
‘‘I know we are doing it really well in secondary rugby. We’ve got a really good base, and we are ready to take off.
‘‘We’ve got Courtney [Bates, women’s rugby co-ordinator] on board now, and myself, and lots and lots of really passionate, amazing coaches . . . as well.’’
Rhodes said the best way for young people to get involved is through their school.
South Canterbury Rugby works with all the region’s schools, she said, and planned to offer more ‘‘Have a Go’’ events next year.
‘‘There are going to be more girls putting their hands up, so we want to be an environment where they’re going to feel safe and confident they’re not actually jumping in with a whole lot of kids that are already playing rugby.’’
She said South Canterbury already hosts an under 11s, under 13s, under 15s and an under 18s girls grades, ‘‘and we’ve got really good coaching resources as well, so bring it on.’’
There are grades for older age groups too, as well as Geraldine and Harlequins women’s teams joining two other teams in the Heartland Championships, she said.
‘‘It doesn’t matter what age or stage, we can definitely cater.’’
South Canterbury stars Jorja Miller and Sophie Kerr will both be ‘‘ones to watch’’, said Rhodes.
Miller, who is in the Black Ferns sevens squad, is ‘‘an outstanding athlete,’’ and Kerr, who has left Mackenzie College to head to Lincoln University, will be ‘‘another one to watch climb the ranks.’’
Rhodes hoped to see more Black Ferns games played in New Zealand, to capitalise on the outpouring of interest, which she hoped would assist with moving the needle closer to pay equity with male athletes.
‘‘With our Sevens girls, there’s not the opportunity to even go and watch them in this country.
‘‘With more games that people can line up and watch, that will keep the momentum going, and that will create the income and, in turn, the girls will start generating a bit more income and that pay equity will come with time.’’