#TrainWithUs: Women’s Sevens Impact Beyond Programme Well Received

Amidst the excitement of the Women’s Sevens Dublin tournament, at which Ireland won a place on the World Series, there was one section of the final day devoted to the development of Women’s rugby. Eight teams made up of Under-18 girls got the chance to train with players from the Ireland Women’s Sevens and 15-a-side squads.

Only two weeks previously the clubs had taken part in the Aon Women’s Club Sevens and earned the chance to train with the likes of World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year nominee Sophie Spence, Ireland second row Marie Louise Reilly and Sevens star Eimear Considine.

A key part of any World Rugby tournament is the impact it can have on the country or region hosting it and in this regard Sunday’s #TrainWithUs initiative worked really well.

The reaction on the day and on Twitter from the particiapting clubs showed the strong connection with the grassroots of the game that is being fostered in Women’s Rugby in Ireland.

Despite unrelenting rain, the girls had great fun training with their role models, running drills and picking up training tips both on and off the field, including a talk on nutrition from IRFU Nutritionist Nora Ni Fhlannagain.

Each player also received a goodie bag and a specially commissioned World Rugby Impact Beyond #TrainWithUs jersey.

Speaking about the event, Nora Stapleton, IRFU Women’s and Girls Development Officer, said: “The enthusiasm on the day was infectious. The rain certainly didn’t dampen the spirits. The teams had already impressed at the Aon Club Sevens two weeks ago and the skill levels and commitment they showed were really encouraging for the development of Women’s rugby.

“It was an amazing opportunity for them to train with some of the best international players in Ireland and at a World Rugby tournament – we are really grateful to the teams, their coaches and to World Rugby for supporting #TrainWithUs.”

The participating teams were: Tuam, Enniskillen, Railway Union, Westmanstown, Portlaoise, Carrick-On-Suir, Listowel and a Barbarians side comprising girls from St. Mary’s College, DLSP and Old Belvedere.