WOMENS RUGBY
Youths U14-U18 and Senior Women
7.00pm – 8.30pm Mondays
6.30pm – 8.00pm Thursdays
Mini Girls U8-U12
10.45am Saturdays
The abrupt end to the 2019/2020 rugby season is bound to live in our memories for a long time to come. The health and safety of our players, their families and our communities is at the forefront of our minds during this pandemic and we must all do what we can to slow the spread while we navigate these unchartered waters.
This season Corinthians has seen massive growth in the women’s section expanding from 25 to 80 girls since we ran our first Give It A Try programme last summer. This combined with establishing Will Johnstone as our new CCRO, and the recruitment driven by existing players bringing along their friends, means that we can now field teams from U10 to U18.5 age grades. The talent within these growing squads means we will still bring silverware into the club with both the U16’s and the U18’s ending the season top of their leagues and following the IRFU statement on the end of the domestic season we will share the spoils with Westport and Portumna respectively.
Our mini’s section have had a fantastic season also, with clubs across the province running more blitzes than ever specifically for the girls and it’s an area full of potential for the future. Unfortunately, they won’t get to showcase their talents to the wider public as the U12’s missed their half time Connacht show due to Storm Dennis, but made the most of their trip to the Sportsground anyway where they got pictures with the Connacht players, Corofin players and the Andy Merrigan Cup, but most importantly Eddie the Eagle, who won the vote as favourite for the night with chocolate roses.
For now, the Give It A Try 2020 has been pushed back, and this will be reviewed based on the ongoing situation, but we hope we’ll be able to emulate the success of last year and get more girls to join our Corinthian family. The Open Evening for the senior women’s section will also be moved forward with the intention of building a team from next season. Updates will be given on our social media for all of the above.
On behalf of all the coaches and management involved with the women’s section this season, I want to extend a massive thank you to our players who have been a joy to interact with. They truly have embodied the rugby values of respect, fun, excellence, inclusivity and integrity. They have grown in both skill and confidence with every match played, shown resilience in their attitudes and worked tirelessly as a team to surpass the individual potential and excel as a whole. There have been highs and lows but they have never given up and it is these broader life skills that gives me confidence that they will be a source of strength to their families over the next few months.
I’d also like to say thank you to all the parents who have driven the girls to matches, helped with catering and various other things, and essentially made our jobs a lot easier throughout the season. We would not be where we are without your unending support to the club. Thanks also to the coaches and management involved with the teams, who have freely given up their time and knowledge and are as passionate about seeing the women’s section develop as I am. And finally, thanks to the Committee and those Club members at Corinthians who have given me the backing and encouragement to drive forward the women’s strategy within the club.