www.swru.org.uk  

WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY GAME
The SWRU Board was proud to publish and share its strategic plan in 2007/08. Within the plan’s main objectives the following progress has been made:  

Effective management and governance
Over 50 people and 20 clubs attended the SWRU AGM in May 2008 and a full SWRU Board is in place for this important year in the history of the women’s game. The  SWRU Chairperson, Sandra Kinnear, was pleased to give full endorsement of the joint SRU/SWRU drive to achieve the Preliminary Equity Standard at the AGM.  

Integrate the development and delivery of rugby for women and girls
The SWRU and SRU have continued to move towards planned integration in 2009. In line with the recommendations of the integration steering group, the SWRU Rugby Manager and Board have been leading an extensive series of consultation meetings with those who are involved in delivering the game at all levels and who are likely to feel the impact of planned changes. The ongoing series of workshops has included representatives from affiliated clubs, staff and volunteers at all levels of the game and from both unions. As well as bringing to light genuine issues and potential barriers to delivering one game for all, the process has produced practical suggestions to address these in the run up to integration and beyond. Consultation has also taken place with other nations undergoing a similar process of change.

A proposal for post integration governance and delivery structures is starting to take shape, based fi rmly in the outcomes of the consultation process and in partnership with the SRU’s standing working party on governance. The number of affiliated clubs and schools has continued to rise, with the end of season fi gures standing at 21 full senior clubs, fi ve friendly member clubs and four universities, competing in BUSA only. The number of affiliated youth clubs has grown from 11 to 20 and this season, for the fi rst time, schools delivering girls’ rugby have been recorded with the number rising to 56 by the year end.

A further review of the membership structure of the SWRU has been undertaken, for implementation in season 2008/09.

Senior Recruitment and Retention

Numbers of registered senior players has shown an increase again this year, rising to 791. This reflects the hard work at club level to recruit new players, an area where the SWRU has worked to support its members with new resources. Suitable posters are now available to assist with recruitment into youth, student and senior rugby. Glasgow University, who won the 2007/08 player recruitment competition, made full use of these to great effect, increasing its numbers of registered players to over 40 for the first time.

The National Development League (NDL) has continued to play a valuable role in clubs’ and universities’ efforts to recruit and retain new players. The NDL has gone from strength to strength and a core coaching and management team is now in place. Average attendance has doubled to 70 and university clubs have increasingly made use of the NDL to support their growing numbers.

Morgan RFC, the SWRU Club of the Year is a real success story of the season. Starting from nothing, a proactive and determined partnership between the main club and a group of young women has resulted in over 30 new club members and one of the strongest teams in the NDL. Its powerful performances and sustainable club structure mean that Morgan will be joining RDVC and Cartha Queen’s Park in promotion to the National League in 2008/09.

Youth Recruitment and Retention

The Community rugby development team has worked hard alongside volunteers, clubs and schools to increase the opportunities for girls to pick up an oval ball – with impressive results.

Twenty-eight National and Regional girls rugby development events have taken place around Scotland this year and, as a result, the number of girls participating in rugby has continued its steady increase, rising by over 40% to 512 registered players at the close of the season.

The inaugural Girls’ Cup Competitions, at U15 and U18 levels, took place with the fi nals running alongside the National Midi Cup fi nals at Murrayfield. Melrose reaped the rewards of its efforts to build an U18 structure with a win at this age group, and Murrayfi eld Wanderers took the U15 prize. Additionally, the number of youth teams attending the SWRU Youth 7s has more than doubled, from 11 to 28.

Youth development coordinators now in place in the Borders, Central and Edinburgh regions are making a great impact. Once again the SWRU thanks its partners, volunteers and staff for investing their time and effort on behalf of girls in rugby to such great effect. Support and develop volunteers and clubs Helping clubs to nurture the game for women and girls remains a high priority for the SWRU. In 2007/08 Lismore, Oban Lorne, RHC, GHA and Melrose were selected for Focus Club support from the National Development Officer. Benefits gained by those clubs who engaged with the programme included coaching and refereeing courses and support in funding bids from local authorities.

Build a strong infrastructure of coaches and referees

This year the SWRU has worked in partnership with the SRU Refereeing department to grow the number of female referees. It is pleased to announce a new scheme to identify and develop talented female referees to prepare them for the higher levels of officiating.