Empowering young women’s rugby

Posted on 4 August, 2016

If boys can do it, well, girls can certainly do it too.

Creating change and empowering young women, Ben Vaughan is creating opportunities for young girls to play rugby. For the first time in the ACT, young women now have the opportunity to play in the local rugby competition beyond the age of 12 years.

Empower Rugby aims to bridge the gap between the girls and boys teams, by running a six week skills based program that creates the possibility for girls aged 10-18 to be involved in the game for the first time, as well as developing current skills. The girls will be exposed to both 15 a side and Sevens Rugby (contact and low contact) as well as the program having the support of the Brumbies and the ACT Junior Rugby Union.

The motivation behind the program, for Ben, started with an initial request from ACTJRU schools and clubs. “For far too long girls have not been provided an opportunity to continue participating in a structured rugby competition after 12 years of age, [unlike] boys are. Girls are invited to participate in one-off gala days, camps, clinics and 7 a side and 10 a side programs but they do not have regular week-about games across multiple age groups. Empower Rugby is designed to provide the skills, safety training and player numbers to change this”.

The training program has also recruited the assistance of mentors such as local Rugby legend and Wallaroo, Louise Burrows. Ben believes that this is a vital part of the girls’ journey, “Louise has over 20 years’ experience participating in rugby and speaks openly and passionately about the opportunities it has provided her. Louise is a strong, enthusiastic and dedicated individual and rugby has played a big part in shaping her personal and professional life.”

“Louise and the other Empower coaches are volunteering their time and experience to assist all our girls on their own journey. They are teachers, University students, Defence Force personnel and professionals – they share a common goal of enhancing the lives of the girls they meet through rugby.”

The future for Empower is exciting, with plans to head overseas for touring opportunities as well as personal development classes. Ben explains that “Empower Rugby is a change agent that has accepted an opportunity to make a mark on the development of junior rugby.”

“Our goal is to provide girls the same opportunity as boys to learn about the game of rugby, and participate through their adolescent lives. We will work closely with ACT Junior Rugby Union (ACTJRU) and the other state Unions to develop player’s skills and numbers, with a view to building regular competitions. Empower Goulburn is beginning on August 12, and we are finalising details for our first program in Sydney shortly. We are also in talks with Japanese clubs as well.”

The Empower Rugby workshop has also partnered with Movehappy Healthcare which allows a proactive approach regarding athletic performance, health and fitness.

Ben says “the partnership allows participants to have the opportunity to be assessed by sports science professionals to identify if there are any underlying injuries and/or concerns that need to be addressed. Injury prevention, as opposed to just the treatment of pain and suffering, is key.”

Empower Rugby hopes participants gain a well-rounded experience, where they are able to take away a range of valuable lessons. “The girls learn to deal with winning and losing, accepting decisions and accountability, are less likely to feel isolated and experience new friendships and camaraderie,” explains Ben. “They learn cooperation and teamwork, respect, personal values and goal setting, self-esteem and self-concept, resilience, and an appreciation of different abilities. We offer leadership opportunities, overseas cultural experiences, and physical, social and emotional health improvements.

“Rugby is a game for all shapes, sizes and abilities; there is a position and role for all Empower Rugby girls.”