SVG chosen to pilot Girls Get into Rugby

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has chosen the Get into Rugby programme in St. Vincent to pilot a new initiative linked to the programme, but aimed at girls.

The Get into Rugby programme was launched 10 months ago in primary schools across St. Vincent.

It has been expanded into more primary schools and some secondary schools.

The IRB is preparing for the launch of the “Girls Get into Rugby” programme, which is aimed at empowering women and girls through tag rugby.

New coach and Youth Programme Coordinator, Rory Tonkin, has been in St. Vincent for a month and has been visiting various schools across St. Vincent and training the national team, which is preparing for a 7s tournament in Mexico in December.

The girls specific Get into Rugby will launch Nov. 19 and include a training day for PE teachers, YES workers, coaches, Union members or anyone else interested in getting involved with coaching kids rugby. The launch will then finish with big fun day at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.

The initiative is open to females interested in getting involved. President of the local rugby association, Sophie Goddard, said the growth of the programme in SVG has been “amazing”.

“With the support of the IRB, NACRA, Union members, the Sports Department, who assigned one of our women’s National player’s Nadine Allicott, to their YES programme and the Ministry of Education we have been able to expand the programme in to more schools. The arrival of a new coach has meant that the Union can expand the programme without stretching our resources too much, whilst developing the skills of the National Players. It’s an exciting time for the Union as we prepare for the launch of the Girls GIR which will hopefully encourage more girls to get involved. Research has shown that sports are a great way to help girls develop into leaders on and off the field. Rugby can make a huge impact and GIR is a great way to get started,” she said.