New England Rugby Union: Sub-committee formed to promote women's game

In an effort to develop women on and off the field, NERU have formed a sub-committee featuring representatives from every club in the zone except Glen Innes.

Catherine Stephen from the Armidale Blues is chairperson of the sub-committee while the club is also represented by Josie Coddington and Lisen Olsson.

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St Albert's College's Chelsea Hancock and Tahlia Morgan, Robb's Zoe Holden, Barbarians' Emily Rabonne and Alana Dunne as well as Tamworth's Natasha Field make up the rest of the committee.

"It is something I have wanted to do for a while now because I just feel the women's game plays such a significant contribution to our competition," Stephen said.

"It really just needs to be given a bit more support."

Stephen said from the get-go the group have talked about growing the game, including expanding from 7s to 10s from 2022, as well as helping women land executive and coaching roles in the sport.

"The reason for that is, we want to be able to field teams in the pathways programs - 7s and 15s. So at the moment we are looking at transitioning to 10s," she said.

"That gives us greater flexibility around being able to do that but it is more inclusive - different sizes of girls, different ages of girls.

"The other big push is working with the NERU and clubs to ensure there is quality coaching for the development of the women's game and also allowing women to have access to become coaches as well.

"Not just the player base, we want women involved in the leadership in the Zone, executive roles, coaching, so it is all aspects.

"The whole women's thing, we just want to improve it."

But 10s won't come without its challenges.

Player numbers are a big issue and Stephen said they are already looking at addressing that.

"In terms of player recruitment, we talked a lot about that," she said.

"For 10s we need a larger player base but we have discussed ideas for recruitment, working with PLC and NEGS, McCarthy, O'Connor for 16 and up girls.

"Partnering with UNE, non-traditional rugby colleges, they have women coming in that have played rugby in the past."

They also want to see women step into executive roles in both their clubs and for the Zone after a pre-season survey revealed no female representation.

On the field, aside from aiming to expand to 10s, the sub-committee also want to see more women's gala days including one at the end of this season and several throughout 2022.

They will open the gala days up to clubs outside of New England including Central North and along the coast.

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