3 minute read
Girls shine in Rugby 7s
7sGIRLS SHINE IN
With Australian women’s teams coming further into the spotlight across several sporting codes, it’s little wonder our younger girls are feeling inspired to go out and give something new a try.
That trend was on full display during the Queensland Rugby 7s competition which was held at All Saints in Term 4.
This year there were 54 teams from around Australia, including one team from Singapore, which descended on All Saints for the annual event.
The competition is supported by Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and both private and state schools are invited to take part. Middle School Chaplain Brendan Callaghan was one of the organisers and said it was great to see a big turnout, including such an impressive involvement by the girls who fielded the majority of teams, 30 in total. Mr Callaghan said this reflected the growing visibility of women playing sports at an elite level. “I think it’s a flow on effect form a number of things,” said Mr Callaghan. “Women’s sports are certainly in the spotlight with the development of the national AFL competition and things like the national cricket side in the women’s Big Bash. The advancement of women’s rugby in Australia has also played a huge part, especially with the women’s success in the 7s making it to the final of the Commonwealth Games - they have done very well over the years.” The All Saints Rugby 7s competition was supported by the local school community, as well as fans from the Gold Coast and afar, who enjoyed the spectacle while being treated to culinary delights from local food vans.
Steve Jones and the All Saints grounds staff rose to the mammoth challenge of creating eight pristine temporary rugby fields for the event, adding to All Saints’ existing rugby field and main oval which was not in use due to cricket season.
Mr Callaghan says the competition was a great opportunity for students to mingle with kids their age that they normally wouldn’t have much contact with.
“The teams came from all over Queensland,” says Mr Callaghan. The rugby field breaks down a lot of social barriers. It is wonderful for our girls to mix with others. They get along well on and off the field,” says Mr Callaghan. All Saints’ dedication to rugby has been a launch pad for some of All Saints’ best athletes in the past; particularly Lauren Brown (Class of 2012) and Joe Pincus (Class of 2014) who have both been selected to represent Australia in Rugby 7s. “Rugby 7s provides a great avenue for people who aren’t traditional rugby players,” says Mr Callaghan. “Maybe they’re a bit smaller and quicker, but they have all the skills and it allows them to play the game that way; a mixture of touch and rugby.” In terms of rugby at All Saints as a school sport, Mr Callaghan hopes involvement will continue to grow. “Our numbers have been sensational, especially in the girls’ teams. We have had somewhere between 50 to 60 girls training every week through Term 3 in the mornings before school,” he said. “I would like to see that maintained and grow even further. We want them to keep developing in confidence, camaraderie and just in their ability to enjoy one another’s company in sport.”
