Women’s Development Squad on the Rise
It is just over 6 months until the Royal Navy Rugby Union Women set foot on Twickenham turf for the first time to take on the Army. With one eye on the 30th of April 2022 it will be the ladies of the Women's Development squad who will want to play their way into the Army v Navy match day squad having begun their series of 4 matches before Christmas with a 53-7 victory at Havant RFC.
The RNRU Women’s Development Squad was established in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength providing opportunities for new players to hone their rugby skills and learn in a professional, empowering, and friendly environment. The development setup is crucial to the long-term success of the women’s representative team and is an invaluable opportunity to get more women playing rugby and gaining all the personal and professional benefits that come with it.
With the women’s game continuing to grow in participation and popularity in the RN and across the country, the RNRU are investing in the women’s Development Squad setup in order to focus on growing the womens game, providing more playing opportunities for women and bringing all that rugby and the RNRU has to offer to more people. New roles for coaches and manager’s will offer a great opportunity for all who want to get involved and will provide a clear pathway for development of coaches and support staff, especially for those with aspirations of stepping into the Representative side.
The new setup will see a new Head Coach lead a new coaching team, alongside a new Team Manager, all supported by a new Assistant Director of Rugby (Women’s Development) who will all work together focussing on growing and developing players from grass roots up to the standard where they are invited into the women’s Senior VX training camps for selection. A passion for rugby, commitment to developing others and a sense of humour are a must to make the most of these new fantastic opportunities.
The role of Head Coach for the Women's Development Squad will be advertised until 27th October 2021 and details of the role can be found here.
https://www.navyrugbyunion.co.uk//rnru/current-vacancies/rnru-w-development-squad-head-coach
Women's Development Side Fixtures:
13 Oct 21. RN Women (D) v Havant RFC (W 53-7) @ HMS Temeraire
27 Oct 21. RN Women (D) v Bath Women's 2nd XV @ RNAS Yeovilton
17 Nov 21. RN Women (D) v Portsmouth Women @ HMS Temeraire
8 Dec 21. RN Women (D) v Devonport Services Women @ Keyham RFC
Photography: © Keith Woodland