Alex Gibbon launches Richmond Range Rugby Union women’s team

Richmond Range rugby club makes another milestone with the launch of its first women’s team in over 50 years.

FNCRU Womens 10s Lismore Rugby Club vs Casurina Beach 2021

Previous Australian Rugby Sevens and Queensland Red’s centre Alex Gibbon is excited to be launching a women’s first grade team for the fledgling Richmond Range rugby club.

Mr Gibbon spearheaded the resurgence of the club at Mallanganee in 2020 when he helped to fill the first grade men’s side with players from surrounding towns.

Now Mr Gibbon has got a first grade women’s team joining the competition.

Far North Coast Rugby Union sports administrator Wayne Millane said it’s “a bloody great idea”.

“We’re here to bring in as many players and clubs that want to play as we can,” he said.

Mr Gibbon said the majority of the players lived within one hour of Mallanganee.

“The most exciting news of all though for the range is for the first time in over 50 years of club history they will field a women’s team,” he said.

“To top it off we are excited to say we have some old boys daughters and have recruited rugby union player Samantha Codrington who has a very bright future.

Samantha Codrington at full stretch. Picture Mark Kriedemann

“I’m so excited to see the girls being apart of this great club.

“We are a big family here and it’s a huge opportunity for our community.”

The new women’s team will face challenges as a large percentage of the team is new to rugby with some never having played the sport before.

Mr Gibbon is confident that the women’s side will do well under the coaching of current state rep women’s coach Hamish Ramsey, along with Rhonda Amos from Old Bonalbo and David Wheeler – who are both Rangers themselves.

“We can’t wait to see what they can achieve,” Mr Gibbon said.

Mr Millane said a draft draw had been sent to all the clubs presidents for approval.

“We’ve lost Grafton who have gone back to mid-north coast, they’ve played in our competition for two years here and then left for mid-north coast for two years and they are back down there again.”

Mr Millane said Tenterfield couldn’t fill a team and neither could Iluka this year so far.

“We’re hopeful for a draft draw to be accepted at a meeting with all the club presidents at the end of the month,” he said.

Mr Millane said as things stood there wouldn’t be a presidents cup, only a division 1 and division 2 if the draft draw was accepted.

He expects the rugby competition to start on April 2.