Rugby union’s newest trailblazers as all-girls teams debut at state gala, Wallabies show support

They came from clubs across the state to be part of rugby history. And now these little trailblazers have created something very special for girls in the sport.

There were plenty of smiles at the state rugby gala. Pics: NSW Junior rugby.

It started as a conversation during a long car ride and ended with 60 little rugby fans playing at their first gala day beside their girlfriends.

For the first time all-girl teams were on the field at the under 10s and 11s state rugby union gala and it was such a success a full-blown competition will be run for them next year.

“There were smiles everywhere. It was crazy but everyone had great fun,” said NSW Juniors vice president and Sydney Juniors rugby union general manager Ben Gregory after two under 8-9s, two under 10s and two under 11s teams made their debuts.

Prior to the event Gregory put out an expression of interest to see if he could gather enough girls together for an exhibition match at the gala day.

Instead, he was so inundated with interest six teams were formed to play at the two-day rugby fest at Eric Tweedale.

SYDNEY V COUNTRY PREVIEW

There were plenty of smiles at the state rugby gala. Pics: From NSW Junior rugby.

In all 64 teams played from under 8s to 11s with Wallabies and Waratahs turning up to support the sport’s smallest but perhaps most enthusiastic little fans.

Even Wallabies coach Eddie Jones popped in at the Central North Junior rugby union team dinner in a show of support.

Newly appointed Rugby Australia boss and former Wallaby Phil Waugh was on ground at the event on Sunday.

“The numbers in girls rugby are growing enormously. We went from zero to 60 and so next year we will have a dedicated girls-only series.

“We will offer it out to zones and districts to enter their teams.”

Young girls at the event at Eric Tweedale.

“We would expect to at least double these numbers.”

In a memorable moment and a great show of support, around 70 players formed a tunnel for the girls team to run through while chanting ‘let’s go girls, let’s go’.

How good is this! As the boys said ‘Let’s go girls, let’s go’ #Rugbypic.twitter.com/6HtPiakMhj

— amanda lulham (@amandalulham) July 19, 2023

A number of the other teams playing at the gala were mixed teams of boys and girls.

Another innovation which set the event apart from others was the introduction of Spirit of Rugby awards determined by the teams, referees and officials.

“It’s got nothing to do with results. It’s about how a team and players and their spectators carry themselves,” Gregory said.

There were plenty of smiles at the state rugby gala. Pics: NSW Junior rugby.

There were plenty of smiles at the state rugby gala. Pics: NSW Junior rugby.

“If a referee is yelled at a line goes through the team. I think that just happened once.

“There was positivity everywhere.’’

Western Plains, who had never been at a state gala before, were joint winners of the GR Paton Spirit of Rugby award for the Under 11s with the popular Penrith club.

The Dr John George Spirit of Rugby award for under 10s was shared by the Hunter and Illawarra clubs.

The next big junior rugby event in NSW is this weekend’s Sydney v Country championships at Maitland.

This event will be contest by both girls and boys teams and is an annual event.

Last year Coutnry pulled off a number of upsets at the event which is also being used as a selection event for the Waratahs Academy and also the Waratahs women’s squad.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Rugby union’s newest trailblazers as all-girls teams debut at state gala, Wallabies show support