The Gold Coast is set to foster a new age of rugby superstars with the introduction of a Girls Rugby 7s Academy in August.
The 5-week program is designed for girls in the u/15s age group (born 2008-2020) and highlights the growing focus on developing pathways for the women’s game.
Sports Program Manager at the Gold Coast Academy of Sport, Annaleise Stoyko, identified several factors fostering the growth in popularity of rugby 7s.
“Girls' rugby sevens is rising particularly with the Women's sevens team continuing to raise the bar as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” stated Stoyko.
“Rugby Australia's annual report recorded a major rise in Sevens participation in schools (36%) and in clubs (32%) this past year. The success of the women’s sevens program has produced heroes like Charlotte Caslick and Maddison Levi who continue to inspire girls to the point that participation levels in girls’ Sevens teams are strongly growing year-on-year.”
The Girls Rugby 7s Academy Program will run Monday and Wednesday nights at RACV Royal Pines Benowa. The 5-week program spans not just rugby skills, but sessions on nutrition, leadership, sports psychology and more.
“The program is designed to support players physically and mentally both on and off the field,” explains Stoyko.
“The development of knowledge, skill, and overall performance on-field will be accompanied by professional education presentations to support performance at the next level.
“These presentations include psychology; dealing with performance pressures, nutrition to support performance needs and more.”
Applications for the program close July 30, with Stoyko certain the lure of a Brisbane Olympics will be an obvious incentive for young girls to get involved.
“Have you ever thoughts about representing Australia at the Olympics? With only 9 years until Brisbane 2032 and the growth of rugby, now is the time to try a new Sport,” said Stoyko.
“Why not give rugby 7s a go and who knows maybe you'll be on the big stage in front of a home crowd in 9 years time!”
To sign up for the program, visit https://form.jotform.com/222428555979875
To express an interest in coaching the academy program, please email programs@goldsport.com.au
