In August, UR7s will welcome the first cohort of young female rugby players into the Academy. It is something that has been in the pipeline for some time now and despite recent events we’re pushing ahead for this summer’s launch as, well, it’s the right thing to do.
The National Sevens Academy was the first of its kind in the UK and has been welcoming young, aspiring rugby players into our annual programme since 2013. We’ve been careful with our growth, nurturing the talent we’ve had across our age-groups over the last few years whilst developing our scouting programme to increase our reach into different regions of the UK. Despite a very challenging year, we’ve been able to develop the opportunities to scout young players, working with schools and clubs to bring 7s to the players when so much has been scuppered by the pandemic.
One of the fundamental philosophies of the Academy is to have role model coaches delivering sessions to the players and providing insight into life as an elite athlete/professional. It was crucial, therefore, that before opening the girls section we could deliver on this philosophy for these young women, and i’m pleased to say we’ve made some significant progress in that regard.
In Amy Wilson Hardy, Meg Jones and Abi Burton we not only have three of the games most talented players but three individuals who represent themselves and their sport in a manner that any young person can, and quite frankly should, aspire to. Passionate, balanced and enthusiastic about their sport, to say the least, together they have given the young players we hope to welcome a great example to learn from.
With the above, and the hope surrounding a return to normality in our the not too distant future, we are in the position to move forward with the launch of the girls section, starting with two trial days in June. We will be inviting all those who have expressed interest to a Regional Trial Day in either the North or the South over the weekend of the 12th and 13th of June 2021.
ENDS
Released on behalf of Ultimate Rugby Sevens. For further information please contact Barney Pascall on (+44) 07769269216 or by email on barney.pascall@ur7s.com
About Ultimate Rugby Sevens
Ultimate Rugby Sevens is a leading rugby 7s organisation promoting the game of rugby 7s across the world via our various media channels. The UR7s National Sevens Academy develops high performance in all walks of life using rugby 7s as the vehicle with our unique National Scouting Programme recruiting talented young players, from both the boys and girls sections, to join, both on and off the field. Ultimate Rugby Sevens also provides opportunities to play rugby 7s at grass-root level via our regional tournaments, offering another entry point into the Academy. With all of this combined, Ultimate Rugby Sevens provides and promotes a pathway from grass-roots to elite level rugby 7s in the UK.
