Women’s Rugby Comes of Age. I have been saying for the last couple of years that Women’s Rugby is worth watching. There is a reason that it is the fastest growing team sport on the planet – it is bloody good! The UK media gave the recent World Cup some decent coverage – not least because Gary Street’s squad carried home the trophy. The RFU have now recognised the potential for the game and have announced that they are giving 20 professional contracts to the England women’s sevens team. This is a great start and will help us prepare for the 7’s in Rio – but it is none too soon and a number of other countries already had women professionals before the France tournament.
Netherlands were the first country to award professional contracts to their female Sevens players. Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, the United States, Russia and Spain have since followed. Bearing in mind England have now contested the final of the last 4 World Cups, you could argue that we are well behind the curve (no pun intended) in this respect. The England girls who have earned the contracts are all expected to now give up their day jobs to concentrate on rugby – good for them. Included on the list are twelve of the squad that brought home the trophy in France, including captain Katy Mclean, Danielle Waterman (Nolie), Marlie Packer, Natasha Hunt, Heather Fisher and the incomparable Emily Scarratt. If Maggie (not that one) hadn’t been likely to retire she would have been, as she was throughout her rugby career, first on the team sheet.
I have said before, I played in matches that weren’t as physical or aggressive than some of those in the women’s World Cup – and certainly many where skill levels were also less evident (mainly by me I admit). This was true for all the sides that competed, not just England, these girls are the real deal – not the fake tanned, pouting, wannabees that too often fill our screens – they are better looking too! Thanks to Sky Sports we saw a lot of the games, here’s hoping that they continue to support this part of the rugby family in the future. England triumphed in Paris – but it was not a stroll – there are some very good sides out there – the Black Ferns (New Zealand) have dominated in recent times and Canada certainly proved that they cannot be taken lightly. Ireland raised their game – and the roof – when they downed the New Zealand side in the pool match that eliminated the former champions. I first saw the Women’s game in previous World Cups on TV – it is on an upward spiral and if you’ve never watched you should give it a try – you are likely to be very surprised – and impressed by the skills on show. Some of the hits will take your breath away (though not as much as the poor lass on the receiving end!).
For some time women’s rugby was disparaged by traditional followers – almost certainly the ‘old farts’ brigade. As Bob Monkhouse said “they laughed when I told them I wanted to be a comedian – they’re not laughing now!” Believe me – no one is laughing at the girls now – you wouldn’t want to meet Nolie or Maggie in a dark alley – although thinking about it…… Take time to watch these girls – look at their pride when they line up for the anthems – and then tell me it’s not ‘The Beautiful Game’
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