Girls’ rugby reaching new level
Women’s and girls’ rugby has seen an average yearly 12% growth over the past decade and, with enough girls now playing rugby in England, from next season there will be changes allowing girls to have similar playing development to that of boys.
From season 2022/23, girls’ age bands will move from the current U13, U15, U18 to an U12s age band, and two-year age bands at U14, at U16 and at U18.
U11 or Year Six girls will be able to either continue to play U11 mixed rugby; play girls only U11 rugby; or play U12s girls’ rugby, following appropriate sign-off by parents and coaches. In addition, there will no longer be a three-year U18 age band.
These developments are aimed at supporting player welfare, with less scope for mismatches in terms of age and physical and mental development.
The changes reflect feedback and create age bandings providing a structure that supports and encourages girls to play rugby and the growth of the age grade girls' game. They also provide equity in the rules of play with the boys’ game, allowing the playing development journey to be the same.
Said Lou Latter, Women and Girls Rugby Representative, RFU Council: "Even despite Covid we have seen continued growth. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, coaches and match officials, and to the girls for wanting to play rugby. This is a really positive step in the girls' game, showing we are growing in numbers and feeding into our wider growth ambitions as part of the Every Rose Strategy.”
Maggie Alphonsi MBE - RFU Council Member and England Rugby World Cup Winner added: “This is a game-changing move. It reflects how rapidly the girls’ game is growing and the future looks strong. It will be strengthened further by the ‘Every Rose six-year action plan' and those plans will hopefully be supercharged if we are successful in our bid to host the RWC 2025.
“Reaching the stage where an additional age band can be introduced is testament to the fantastic work of players, coaches, match officials, organisers and volunteers across the country over the last 10 years. It sets us up to take the game to a new level for the next 10 years.”
With the RFU Council approving the age-band changes, 15-year-olds will no longer be expected to play with and against 17-year-olds about to turn 18 and those moving from U11 won’t join a two-year age band either. This will be more enjoyable and better for player welfare, development and socially, and so likely to keep more girls playing for longer.
Smaller age bands will see girls training and competing against more similar ages and physiques, supporting teenage players’ transition into older rugby, especially 16-18-year-olds who will no longer have a three-year age band at U18.
They will also support the future growth and sustainability of girls’ rugby, align playing rules to the those for boys, for clarity, consistency and equity, working towards an equal approach.
The changes will support the increasing number of girls currently playing KidsFirst Rugby to transition into girls’ rugby. Moving from U11 mixed rugby to U13 girls’ rugby was seen by many as too big a jump and now there will be more flexibility around the type of rugby U11s can play.
The U11 girls can play with U12 girls if they are ready but regulations will remain tight to prioritise player safety and continue to follow a building blocks approach to learning and development.
Clubs, schools and colleges, parents and players, as well as volunteers, coaches and match officials will be supported throughout the changes.
For an infographic explaining the changes click here: Find out more in our FAQs.
