Tag them in and take it forward

DUBAI: In an effort to promote rugby in schools, especially among girls, the Girls Tag Rugby tournament was held at Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) and Deira International School (DIS) which evoked a huge response.

Gulf Women's Rugby Representative Jenny Matheson, who organised the events, said: "All of the girls involved were extremely excited to participate. I believe there is a keen interest from girls of all ages across schools and given the opportunity the girls will give rugby a go."

A total of eight schools participated in the event which had girls from the age group of five to seven. It was started on a trial basis to figure out the interest among the kids.

"The under-12 Girls Tag Rugby was introduced to schools and we had 12 schools come back with keen interest. As a trial for this school year we had two tournaments hosted by Deira International School and JESS Jumeirah where eight schools participated," said Matheson, who is also a PE teacher at Deira International School.

"This provides girls the opportunity to play a variety of sports which is important for their growth and development. It's important to give the girls equal opportunities as the boys at all age levels in order to promote and improve the sport of rugby.

"Rugby needs to be taught and learned progressively through forms of tag, touch and tackle games. Creating this opportunity for girls-only competitions within schools and clubs should promote a significant growth in both numbers and quality of girls and ladies playing across the region," she explained.

It was evident the girls enjoyed themselves during the one-day event. "I like the excitement of Tag Rugby. After playing this I can't wait to play full tackle!" said Ireland Connell, captain of Deira International Girls.

The most important step in the growth, according to Matheson, was developing the sport at school level. "Schools provide an excellent doorstep to promoting such sports amongst children and youth. Having school tournaments will create interest across the region in order to promote and also grow the sport at the club level as well. The Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Club have started up a girls-only U-12 and U-14 tag rugby group alongside their U-18 girls with hopes to continue this into next season.

"Other clubs across the region, including Sharjah Wanderers and Dubai Exiles, have been starting to group girls into their own categories as well from U-12 to U-18 age groups from tag to tackle rugby," Matheson added.

Another girl, Ania Wright, said: "I was the ball girl at the Dubai 7s and I'm happy that finally I got to play some rugby myself and I'm enjoying it."

Fran Ducos, another student, voiced a similar opinion.

"It's thrilling. It actually works nice to run hard and straight and it's fun."

Matheson stressed the focus has also been on attracting Emirati girls and that again is possible only when the game is introduced in their respective schools.

"Providing the opportunity within schools and clubs for the girls to play sport teaches them the importance of being a team member. The students and players learn to work together and strategise over how to learn new skills and adapt them in order to be successful.

"Starting up girls' programmes in schools and clubs from a younger age will continue to grow the sport in the region over the next few years allowing the possibility of Emirati girls to become interested and begin to play and learn the sport with hopes of gaining enough interest over a period of time to have a complete Emirati ladies national team."

With the 2011-12 rugby season coming to an end and leaving a lot of encouraging signs, the focus will be to expand the programmes for the next season.

"This season has come to an end so the plan is now to implement the success of these tournaments into next year's school fixture lists and create the opportunities for girls. This year was a good starting block having the U-12 tag tournaments, the development of U-18 tackle rugby at the ladies' tournaments, and the continuation of girls' touch at the Mini and Youth Clubs tournaments. Next season, I'm hoping to see more girls-only action across all areas."

Another very important factor has been the fitness issue considering the serious worry of obesity among children in this region.

"Giving youth here a variety of opportunities across sport will keep them interested in staying active. Rugby is a sport which caters to a variety of body types which can provide opportunities of success for each individual athlete that is involved."