The Irish Rugby Football Union has published a new Long Term Player Development Model for Women’s rugby, providing an integrated framework to facilitate the development of female players at all levels of participation and experience.
The model was developed to ensure the continued growth of the Women’s game and it’s launch takes place days before the Women’s 7’s team takes part in the first World Rugby international 7’s competition to be held in Ireland, at UCD this Saturday and Sunday.
Irish Rugby successfully bid to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017 when games will take place at UCD and the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
Framework
The new model has been designed to provide a framework to ensure that coaching, training and playing of the game is always appropriate for the developmental stage of the players involved. It’s player-centered with an emphasis on the specific characteristics and capabilities of players at each stage of development.
“While Women’s rugby was part of the overall Long Term Player Development model launched by the IRFU in 2006, the new model has been developed to ensure the pathway and long-term participation, performance and enjoyment of rugby specifically for girls and women.,” said the author of the Model, Irish Women’s Rugby Development Executive Nora Stapleton.
“In essence it is a blueprint for the future development of our game. The model will influence and promote current IRFU rugby coaching courses targeting all levels of the women’s game so that all coaches are aware of the individual player capabilities and development opportunities at each stage.”
Future
“We have used four P’s to capture the overall essence of the model and the future of female rugby; increase Participation, bring Passion, nurture Potential and achieve great Performance.”
“It is important to remember that the LTPD model is not intended to be a production line of world-class players but rather an integrated series of stages to maximise the potential of players according to their own ability and ambition.”
“Ultimately, of course, the successful establishment and maintenance of a long-term programme of development will be essential to that small number of players with the talent and aspiration to become elite performers.
Enjoyable
“Finally, due to the embryonic stage of the female game in Ireland, part of the document focuses on late beginner players to rugby ensuring that we introduce them to the game in a safe and enjoyable manner.”
“The Women’s game perfectly reflects rugby values with respect, inclusivity, excellence, integrity and perhaps most importantly, fun, at the fore of the game throughout the country,” added Philip Browne. CEO of the IRFU.
“Clubs that operate Women’s teams and promote the opportunity for women to take a lead in terms of volunteerism, coaching, development and strategic growth, are reaping the rewards.
“For those clubs who are already embracing the Women’s game, the LTPD will provide an additional resource to develop their players, grow the game, ensure continued safety and broaden engagement.
“For those clubs who are yet to establish female teams or promote the participation of women in their club, I urge them to do so, and to use this plan to develop a club strategy for broadening the rugby family.”
Image credit: Ryan Byrne / Inpho.ie
