The IRFU have unveiled an innovated women’s rugby calendarfor the 2021/22 season with the focal point on increasing participation and visibility in the game.
The #NothingLikeIt campaign was born in the cinders of Covid 19’s devastation on the sporting world and set out its aim to continue the growth women’s rugby had witnessed before the pandemic.
With four facets of projected concentration from domestic, interprovincial, international and development movements spanning across the rugby term of July annually, the agenda appears jam packed.
Interesting to see the new calendar for Women's and Girls Rugby, domestic and international.
Having one plan from top to bottom feels really positive. Excited to see how our rugby grows going forward.#NothingLikeIt pic.twitter.com/hPA98xYhgY
— IrishWomensRugbySupportersClub (@IrishWomens) July 19, 2021
While Canterbury’s “Give It A Try” is set to be the first drive to benefit from the operation this month, Irish rugby fans can also look forward to a more vibrant approach to initiatives such as coaching and referee courses, home leagues and also the World Cup qualifiers for both the 15’s and 7’s outfits in September and June respectively.
Ireland Captain’s Ciara Griffin and Lucy Mulhall marked the launch of the #NothingLikeIt move with a manifesto based on the research conducted by Rothco.
After discussing what the rugby meant to players, coaches, volunteers and fans alike they found that the collective nature and encouraging spirit is what kept everyone coming back.
Speaking on the domestic aspect of the projections the IRFU Women’s Rugby Development Manager Amanda Greensmith disclosed that the organisation is looking ‘forward to the return of an action-packed season, where there really is something for everyone that has space in their life to make more friends, have more fun and get fitter while doing it.”
“Pre-Covid, our female domestic game programme was growing strongly with over 2,000 registered players, and with the new season, new promotional campaign and messaging we not only want to get all those people back, we want to demonstrate the warm welcome rugby has, to attract even more women and girls” she said.
Adam Crane, Creative Director at Rothco also commented that the company were “very happy to work on an important piece of work.”
“The Women's game is going from strength to strength in this country, but this piece of work recognises the need to recruit more female players at youth level for a sustainable future” he said.
“There’s great team spirit in rugby and unlike many other sports, a position to suit players with different abilities. It was important for the creative answer to have visual standout, youthful appeal and to ultimately make rugby a strong option to consider for young female players.”
Su Carty, Amanda Greensmith & Anthony Eddy on the Women's Season calendar and the launch of #NothingLikeIt https://t.co/PS3gp03XJ3
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 19, 2021
The official statement can be viewed here, and the promotional video here.
