What if I have never played rugby before?
Rugby requires specific skills just like any other sport. In fact, some of our best rugby players started playing other sports first and then converted to rugby. Skills learnt in any other sports will help you learn the basic rugby skills and allow you to quickly adapt to the new game.
Do boys and girls play together?
Girls and boys can play together in Mini rugby up to and including the age of 11. After that the physical differences prohibits mixed teams, so girls continue to play on in girls only competitions. After school, many women enjoy playing rugby in club competitions.
I thought you had to be big to play rugby?
No. Rugby requires many varied body shapes and sizes to play the game. From shorter, strong front rowers to tall far reaching second rowers and the fast, nimble outside backs. There is a crucial position for everyone in rugby.
Everyone on coaching panel in SRU is trained under the SmartRugby program. The SmartRugby program ensures that all coaches and referees are skilled in the correct techniques to develop confidence in contact amongst their players/members.
Coaches are required to cover this material in on-field sessions to players prior to the commencement of each season. Referees are required to understand the material and apply to the management of all games.
The techniques learnt are built into regular training and playing throughout the season, so that SmartRugby becomes an integral part of coaching and refereeing at any club, school or association.
The SmartRugby is a program implemented in the most established rugby unions all over the world.
But still, I’ve seen rugby and TV and there are plenty of people running into one another and piling on top of each other!
More often than not rugby that is televised is the 15s format of the game, which is far more technical positionally than the 7s format that you will be learning under the SRU programme. In the 7s format, there are half the number of players on the same size playing field, therefore the aim of the players is actually to minimize contact situations by passing the ball and changing running lines to confuse the defence.
Do injuries occur frequently in Rugby?
Contrary to popular belief, rugby is not the sport with the highest rate of injuries. Studies have shown that traditionally female-oriented sports like cheerleading, gymnastics and netball have a higher, if not, similar rate of injury.
The point to take home is that, injuries are part and parcel of any sport (especially when played competitively) and occur most often when a person is either not conditioned for the sport of when their technique is imperfect. This is why SRU places a strong emphasis on building the basic techniques through the proper training of its coaches who in turn will pass these skills on to the players.
What gear do players need before they play the game?
Mouth guards and football boots are the major requirements. Additional padding includes shoulder pads, head gear and shin pads which are optional. All the girls who are part of SRU’s programme will be required to wear mouth guards.
Who are the coaches?
The coaches of the SRU’s Introduction to Contact Rugby for Girls are all female and are members of the National Women’s 7s and 15s Squads. They are all International Rugby Board certified coaches and have had many years of experience in both playing and coaching.
