Since the inception of the WRU Women’s leagues and cups, most of the silverware has stood on the shelves of East Wales clubs. These clubs were also the main feeder clubs to the Women’s age grade and senior national squads. This was when representative rugby was split into East, West and North regions in Wales.

 

In 2008/09 Girls regional representative rugby followed the WRU structure of the professional men’s game and five regions were created – Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues, Dragons and RGC1404.

This first season saw the silverware trend change with the Ospreys U18’s bringing home their share by winning the first regional championship; they were subsequently invited across the bridge to compete in a national regional competition against more developed English regions. The U18’s competed extremely well and won the plate competition. The Ospreys squad also produced players for the Wales U20’s squad.

 

In 2009/10 season, both the U15’s and U18’s finished second in the regional competition and we also saw the start of the Women’s Senior Regional League. Four teams were created – Ospreys, Scarlets, Blues and Dragons. This was a short programme but was played at a very competitive level with the national coaches watching closely as the World Cup was just around the corner. Our senior team was created with a lot of young promising players who made an excellent account of themselves. The Ospreys region is now supplying the vast majority of players to the Wales U20’s squad and also has a good representation in the Senior World Cup Squad.

 

This is underpinned by players coming through at a grass roots and senior club level. We have quite a number of rapidly expanding clubs in Ospreylia namely Gorseinon, Abercrave, Waunarlwydd, Pencoed and Neath Athletic. Neath Athletic have produced the majority of our regional players to date and have seen their own success by beating UWIC in the final of the Women’s National Cup and bringing more silverware back to the region.

 

Women’s and Girl’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. Introduction to the sport is usually through schools, with community and club coaches using local and National TAG competitions as an introductory activity. Development is then through introducing contact sessions, again either in preparation for a schools tournament or via accessing local clubs. Then joining and playing for your own local club.

 

In Ospreylia we have a recognised player pathway for girls and this begins with the rugby development officers of Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea who have set up rugby workshops throughout the region. From these development centre’s talented and committed players will have the opportunity to trial for our Regional U15’s Squad and from there move up to our U18’s squad and eventually onto our senior squad.