Page 60Page 61
Page 60
In 2015, more than 370,000 girls participated in the Get Into Rugby programme across 129 countries. The new look and feel of the programme ensures it is equally attracting boys and girls. As well as boys and girls playing mixed programmes together which are proving very popular, particularly in the younger age groups, unions are really responding to the need to offer girls specific activities both in Get Into Rugby festivals and regular ongoing initiatives.National team players around the world lent their support as they got involved in Impact Beyond projects, particularly linked with HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series and Olympic Games qualification. In Ireland, players tried their hand at coaching age-grade girls as they took to the pitch during breaks in the series qualifier in Dublin in August, while unions in Africa ran Get Into Rugby activities specifically for girls linked with the departure of their teams to the regional Olympic qualifier in South Africa.Oceania Rugby took the opportunity to support sevens 60 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2015Women's rugby enjoyed another successful year, which saw more women and girls playing the game with almost two million now participating across our 120 member unions.initiatives in their unions, building on the Get Into Rugby work in the region. Asia opted for a women’s specific coaching initiative in the Philippines to increase the number and quality of coaches in the women’s game, while in South America a Leading Women’s Rugby workshop with both development officers and national team coaches was held, offering guidance and support in their development and high performance work.Earlier in the year, Rugby Africa also ran a Leading Women’s Rugby programme with a focus on establishing plans and pathways to progress women’s development in their member unions. South Africa captain Zenay Jordaan was on hand to give a player’s perspective, inspiring delegates with the difference their work is making to women and girls in the game.The road to Rio really came to
life on the pitch as the first four teams qualified through the series in champions New Zealand, Canada, Australia and England (Team GB) with the tightest of margins, just one point difference, deciding fourth place with USA PICTUREDJapan secured both World Series and Rio 2016 qualificationLEFTAustralia beat Russia in the Dubai Sevens final in DecemberGIRLS INSPIRED TO GET INTO RUGBYWORLD IN UNION | WOMEN’S RUGBY