Sunshine Coast rugby union players and advocates travel Queensland to boost women in the sport

Two Sunshine Coast women are among a “crucial” statewide push to empower and boost females of all ages lacing up in rugby union.

A pair of Sunshine Coast women are traversing the state as part of a “crucial” push to not only empower but lay healthy foundations for females embracing the sport of rugby union.

Maroochydore Swans women’s player Angela Coombes and Noosa Dolphins women’s player Tess Evans have jumped behind an initiative by Queensland Rugby to deliver women in rugby leadership workshops around Queensland.

Over the past few months the duo have travelled to present workshops and drive discussion on women in the game in regional areas including Cairns, Gold Coast, North Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Mackay and Rockhampton.

They’re even lining up a trip to Mt Isa in the coming weeks.

Noosa women's captain - Tess Evans. Picture: Patrick Woods

“The whole point of the program is to empower the women that's in the sport and obviously grow the attraction for people to be part of it, whether it's in a playing position, coaching, managing or refereeing,” Evans said.

“I thoroughly enjoy getting out there and sharing my story and I want everyone to have the same rugby experience that I’ve had.

“Everyone can be a leader and it’s (program) just identifying things they can take back to their club.

“We are all on the same path and it just creates a bit of consistency across the state of what we're trying to achieve.”

The 22-year-old Noosa captain said the program was important for networking, sharing ideas and creating a collective push to boost women’s roles and participation in the sport.

“It’s crucial in the growth of the sport,” she said.

“Up to now we’ve followed all of the ways the men have done it and that’s a blanket approach to the situation.

“Now, they’ve (QRU) got an eraser and are starting from scratch and creating really healthy and strong fundamentals so that we can grow the sport Queensland wide.”

RUGBY MUMS: Amanda Edwards, Angela Coombes, Jane Greenland and Lola Raymone. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Coombes said some women had come across issues of bullying, poor culture and lack of inclusiveness at some clubs.

She said the cross country program with Evans helped connect

“This new leadership initiative makes sure that women in rugby are empowered and that all clubs are focused on putting women in the sport and to have equal access to resources and equal access to being a club member,” she said.

“It’s such an interesting and unique workshop to be part of because everyone is in it for a completely different reason.”

She said women in rugby had become one of the key strategic pillars for the governing body.

“It basically helps prioritise women in sport to make sure initiatives and different activities around rugby are really inclusive of women and it's something I've been driving heavily on the Coast for six years now.

“It’s something really close to my heart with friends who have daughters that play rugby and have ambitions to play at the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast rugby union players and advocates travel Queensland to boost women in the sport