Bond University launch first women’s rugby union team

Bond University will submit their first ever full-numbered women’s rugby team into Queensland’s top club rugby competition in 2020.

The Gold Coast’s top female rugby union talent will compete against the best of the state in weekly competition for the first time in 2020.

Bond University are set to capitalise on the success of their Rugby Sevens program by launching a full-numbered team into a new-look Queensland Premier Rugby women’s division.

All nine Premier clubs will be represented in the competition after Bond University and Easts committed to fielding teams this year.

Bond University will field their first ever Women's XV in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition this year. Left to right coach Setu Naseri, Caity Costello 24, and coach Lawrence Faifua. Picture Glenn Hampson

Bond’s inaugural women’s 15-a-side coach Lawrence Faifua said the benefits of launching the team would extend beyond rugby alone.

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“You see how Rugby Sevens has taken off and now XVs (is following suit),” Faifua said.

“By putting a Gold Coast team into the competition it’s going to help female players move along their pathway.

“The Gold Coast have a really talented bunch of females that are playing rugby and rugby league so anything that is boosting pathways for them is awesome.”

Faifua will make up one-half of a decorated coaching roster that includes program co-ordinator Setu Naseri.

Bond University will field their first ever Women's XV in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition this year. Faythe Manera 16, Caity Costello 24 and Jetaya Faifua 16. Picture Glenn Hampson

The two coaches have climbed the ranks to be recognised as some of Queensland’s most successful in the women’s rugby sphere.

Translating their successes from Bond’s AON University Sevens Series to 15-a-side rugby will benefit the club in both formats, Faifua said.

“It’s a massive difference between the games, where one relies heavily on contact and the other is moving the ball to avoid contact,” he said.

“One of the things we did lack in AON with Bond was physicality, especially compared to the Sydney teams who regularly play both.

“Hopefully bringing those skills from XVs will help girls with their sevens aspirations as well.”

Queensland Reds standouts Kirby Sefo, Cobie-Jane Morgan and Courtney Hodder will lead the new team from the front, though opportunities for young stars to step up will present immediately.

A timing clash with the Super W season will see Bond’s representative stars miss the opening two weeks of competition.

Bond University will field their first ever Women's XV in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition this year. Jetaya Faifua 16, Caity Costello 24 and Faythe Manera 16. . Picture Glenn Hampson

Faifua says expectations will be high with a talented group but allowing young players to develop will take time.

“I won’t lie, I’ve still got expectations that we reach the top four but that’s my competitive streak.

“Realistically, looking at it from what we’re doing and that’s building a base and a solid foundation to bring the younger crew through.

“There will be bumps in the road but I’m hoping we’ll go okay and feature in the finals somewhere.”