A new-look summer competition will continue the momentum in the growth of women’s rugby, according to Dubbo Rhinos club president Ian Burns.
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The inaugural Women’s Summer Sevens northern division competition will bring together teams from Dubbo, Narromine, Mudgee and Coolah, with the opening round kicking off at Dubbo’s Apex No. 2 Oval on Friday.
Burns said the format had already attracted interest from new players.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative by Central West and Matt Tink to keep rugby in the forefront of people’s minds, and to not only keep your own squads together, but to hopefully develop some new players for the upcoming season,” he said.
“We’ve got a great bunch of girls who played this year so more time on the field will hopefully help them to further develop those rugby techniques and skills.”
A round-robin format will see five teams converge in a different town each week. Starting at 6pm, teams will play two games of seven minute halves, with the evening to wrap up about 7.40pm.
The Rhinos’ campaign will kick off against Narromine at 6pm this Friday before the Dubbo Roos take on Mudgee at 6.20pm. The Rhinos will then take on Mudgee at 7pm with the Roos and Coolah to compete in the final match of the evening from 7.20pm.
Women’s rugby has enjoyed stunning growth in recent years, with just four teams in the 2017 competition rising to 11 with the introduction of the Westfund Ferguson Cup in 2018.
That competition saw the return of the Dubbo Rhinos women’s side, while the Dubbo Roos were able to field a team for the first time.
Roos coach Kieran Smith hoped the new competition could bring more women back into rugby union clubs.
“Women’s rugby over the last few years … has varied between sevens and 15s and ended up as a 10s competition so the concept … is to try and attract more women to rugby and sevens is a really good pathway,” he said.
For those yet to try rugby, or young girls looking to make the jump into seniors, Smith said the Summer Sevens would be ideal.
“We’re lucky enough to have some girls that have come through the Central West junior pathway, so now those girls are looking to play some senior rugby,” he said.
“This is a good pathway for them to get into senior rugby, when it’s a bit less physical.
“Sevens is more accessible for those smaller players and a good pathway into 15-a-side rugby.”
But it would still provide a challenge fro more experienced players.
“It’s definitely a fitness game so while it’s only seven minutes [per half] you’ve only got seven players on a full-sized rugby field so it’s certainly a lung-burner,” Smith said. “A lot of girls are probably familiar with touch, so having that physical element to the game is something a lot of girls will have to get used to.”
Burns urged anyone interested in playing to get in touch, but also stressed the games would be excellent viewing for those preferring to spectate.
“Sevens is … quite spectacular, and a dynamic version of the game.”
The first Dubbo derby will take place at Narromine’s Cale Oval in round two, before sides head to Mudgee’s Jubilee Oval and then Coolah Sports Club.
