Women's and Girls Rugby in the Blues Region

Women's and girls' Club rugby is progressing strongly in the Blues region. Cardiff Quins, Pontyclun and UWIC are prominent players in the women's premier division with many players in the National Squad, while Tylorstown, Cowbridge, Gwernyfed and Abercwmboi play Division 1 rugby. Treorchy ladies are the newest team on the block and intend to make their presence felt in the coming seasons.

In the junior leagues, Cardiff Quins, and Abercwmboi represent the Blues at both under 15s and under 18s while Barry and Treorchy, Treharris, Tylorstown, Pontyclun and Gwernyfed welcome players to establish junior sides.

From Club and schools rugby the opportunity then arises to play representative rugby for the Blues. In the first season (2008-09) the Blues Under 15s won the Welsh regional competition and represented the Welsh regions at the RFUW regional tournament where they were crowned Champions. A further step up has just presented itself to the under 18s and players from each of the five regions, Dragons, Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets and Gogledd Cymru, trial for a place in the Under 18s Talent Development Group.

From under 18s come Wales Under 20s and two players from the Blues have made this transition, Natalie Stone of Cardiff Quins and Carys Thomas of Pontyclun. Both played Blues regional rugby and many of the current under 18s are waiting in the wings to follow in their footsteps.

The Blues Development Officers play a vital role in club development and aiding in the recruitment of women and girls players particularly via the schools and colleges Tag and 10s rugby programme, which all secondary schools and colleges are invited to enter. On entering these tournaments schools receive tag belts and balls and a series of coaching sessions provided by WRU and Blues Rugby Development Officers or Blues Community Coaches. Teams then play in local qualifying heats to progress through to the National Finals. Previous Blues winners of these tournaments include Ysgol Plasmawr winning Under 19s touch rugby in 2004 & 2005, under 17s touch 2006, under 14s tag 2007 and under 18s tag Dec 2009, Bryncelynnog winning under 18s tag 2008 and Treorchy winning under 14s Tag 2009. In the 10s competition 2008 Radyr, coached by Welsh International Claire Flowers, won the under 14s competition.

If you are interested in playing women's or girls' rugby please contact your local club.

Nicola Smith
WRU Women's Community Rugby Manager
Tel: 07725 828697