Empowering young women through rugby
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You could say that women’s sport is having a moment.
Only, it’s not a moment. It’s a cultural shift that’s the result of generations of women pioneering for a place on our courts, fields and of course, television screens.
Our young women might just be the first generation that will have access to programs and pathways that aim to propel them into the once seemingly unreachable career paths in sport and related fields. One such program is Empower Rugby Canberra – The Rugby Union Program for Girls.
Empower was formed last year at the request of Junior Rugby Union (ACTJRU) and the Brumbies. On the surface, it’s a skill based program for girls 10-18 that runs for six weeks starting this Saturday 25 March, leading into the first week of the inaugural girls 10s rugby competition on 6 May.
The prospect of the competition alone is exciting. It’s the first of its kind in Australia. “We’re incredibly proud that it’s happening locally,” says Ben Vaughan, Director of forty2 Edventures and Empower Rugby.
Other cities and regions have wanted to be the first to run such a competition, but Ben says community buy-in has been key.
“What we’ve done is created enough enthusiasm with sport through schools and sports clubs. We’re going to have between 100 and 200 girls that have never played before, who will then be distributed back through local rugby clubs. We create market awareness of rugby as a sport – we’re an impetus for girls to start playing the sport.”
Ben insists it’s not about creating star rugby players, but exposing girls to Rugby and sport in general – particularly in a team environment.
“What girls do is often sign up by themselves and are frightened or nervous because it’s a physical contact sport,” explains Ben. “What we do is pair them up with a girl who’s a similar size, and within the third or fourth session, they’re already best friends, talking about a whole range of things that have nothing to do with rugby.”
“I’d much rather have a team of ok players who like each other and want to strive for the betterment of the entire group, rather than one or two really excellent players.”
That being said, there are certainly pathways for girls looking to take their sport to the next level.
“We have provided pathways for athletes to the AIS and the Brumbies, and we’re working with companies in the US who are top of their game globally for elite sports. We can provide scholarships to Japan and to the UK as well – for both learning and for playing.”
Alongside the rugby program runs a leadership program, appropriately called EmpowerED, which was derived from the Mengineering program for boys.
“The program creates an opportunity for girls to develop their presentation skills, CV writing, preparing for an interview, nutrition guidance… there’s a whole range of things that we help the girls with.”
Empowered is an optional add-on to the Empower Rugby program, which can run within the six-week course, or afterwards.
Empower Rugby operates in a partnership with the University of Canberra and the Australian Army, whereby the organisations provide the program with facilities, coaching resources and interns.
“An intern from UC will come along and work with a group of girls to have a pathway to further education, and then employment or a role in the Forces,” says Ben. “This person will guide and mentor the girls.”
Key personalities supporting the program include some of the region’s best coaches and mentors, including Louise Burrows, a Wallaroo, as well as Charlotte Caslick and other Rugby players. Many male rugby players have shown support as well, including local Wallaby legend Henry Speight.
“All we’re trying to do here is create a mentality of participation, enthusiasm and encouragement of your friends, for the development of everybody,” says Ben. “If we can get girls thinking like that, then distribute them to the clubs in Canberra, to join the teams and play against each other in a regular competition, then we’ve achieved our goals.”
For more information or to enrol in the program which kicks off this Saturday 25 March, visit the Empower Rugby event page.
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