A progressive Girls Can Tackle Anything program is being launched in Queensland to encourage greater participation through more girls-only rugby teams.
Nine regional hubs across the state have been galvanised to develop more girls-only environments for players from Under-6s to Under-12s.
Women and girls in Queensland will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport and be active as a result of a $574,668.60 grant to the Queensland Rugby Union.
The QRU has been selected to receive funding under the Australian Government's $200-million Play Our Way Program, which is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.
The QRU will use the money for the statewide Girls Can Tackle Anything program over the next three years to facilitate more girls-only teams, more female coaches and more female rugby officials to capitalise on the growth of women’s rugby in the 15-a-side game and sevens.
“This is an exciting time. Through the Girls Can Tackle Anything initiative we aim to introduce new girls to rugby for the first time in a girls-only environment,” said Ashlee Knight, the QRU’s Female Projects Manager.
“That setting to be more confident and more comfortable to learn the game with their female peers can be a huge benefit.
“The way we are setting up the program will complement what’s already there to encourage girls to take up and enjoy the game of rugby.
“Importantly, this is a statewide program that can benefit girls playing the game across Queensland.”
The hub-based model is being driven through Townsville, Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Darling Downs, Gold Coast and Brisbane (Wests, Easts, Norths and Sunnybank).
Knight said the aim to register more than 1400 new players in girls teams each year was an exciting ambition.
The QRU will be using the Play Our Way grant to create these expanded girls-only environments so girls in our community can easily access and enjoy playing sport and being active.
Importantly, the program will create the right back-up for an increase in junior girls in the game.
“Funding for female-only coaching accreditation courses and female match official and administrator workshops will create the all-important back-up,” Knight said.
The target of 50 new female accredited coaches this year has already been upgraded. The female-only coach courses run in Rockhampton and Brisbane have accredited 37 coaches already. Forty new female match officials each year is also attainable.
Brisbane, Gold Coast and Darling Downs are kicking off programs with other regions lining up their programs with juniors seasons that kick off later in the year.
Knight said broadcasts of Australia’s champion female rugby sevens team, the Wallaroos competing on the world stage and Queensland competing in Super Rugby Women’s have given young girls the opportunity to watch, and form their own dreams about, elite women’s rugby like never before.
“The support of Play Our Way at the junior level can be a powerful driver for rugby,” Knight said.
“It can help make the Women’s Rugby portfolio so attractive that people want to play, watch, administer, govern and fund the game across all offerings.
“That opportunity to be involved in every aspect of the game will be opened up…more players, coaches, referees, managers and volunteers.”
Rockhampton’s Girls Can Tackle Anything convenor Toni Cowan said the statewide scope of the program is a huge positive.
“With girls and women’s rugby growing in our region, it is a great opportunity to be involved in the Girls Can Tackle Anything program,” Cowan sd.
“We have girls-only age teams in Under-9s and Under-11s. In 2025, our focus is to open another age group of Under-7s and create pathway opportunities for our younger players.
“In time, the goal is to have a girls team/competition in every age group from U6s to U12s.
“The QRU is invested in offering opportunities for these young girls to develop their skills and knowledge to enjoy the game.
“We had 18 girls and women attend a recent female-only Coaching Kids Course which has given them the qualifications to coach in our pathways.”
This activity received grant funding from the Australian Government.
