Building a pathway for girls in Australia
Gemma Owen is the Female Game and Inclusion Lead for Rugby WA. She explains how she produces a programme that is tailored to the players.
I’m the Female Game and Inclusion Lead for The Western Australia Rugby Union (Rugby WA). I’m responsible for developing and implementing programs to enhance women and girls' participation in rugby.
A big part of my role is facilitating pathway opportunities for players and nurturing their development into representative rugby. I collaborate closely with stakeholders, particularly coaches, to streamline operations in both club rugby and performance programs.
What stands out the most as a joy of women’s rugby in Australia is the sense of community it brings. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to support girls who are not just passionate about rugby, but are driven to pursue it professionally. Having the opportunity to assist in their development is very fulfilling.
A very heartwarming event that was new to me is the tradition of potluck dinners with our players’ families at the end of our programs. This tradition brings families together over home-cooked meals (and they know how to cook too!).
When I first started, I remember organising a Subway meal for everyone and later, the coaches approached me and suggested I organise a potluck instead, explaining that families love to get involved, and I’ve been doing that since.
I also need to mention the incredible support received from our stakeholders. Many of them have become close friends, and their dedication to growing the female game is truly inspiring. When I first arrived from Wales, I was unsure about integrating into a new community, but I've been fortunate to find a strong network here through rugby.
Our training environment is another joy. The beautiful weather allows us to run sessions on the beach, and there's nothing quite like training under the pink skies of a sunset.
Our main hurdle in Australia is competing against other sports. Many of our players are active in various sports like rugby union, league, touch, netball, and AFL. As a result, maintaining player welfare is a significant challenge within our programs.
The issue also extends to investment and resources. Rugby union isn’t as popular in Australia in comparison to league or AFL. I've witnessed young players, still in school, relocate to the East Coast to pursue league opportunities.
Last season, we had four teams in the Women’s Premiership competition, and our junior girls were playing in a 7-a-side competition. A significant challenge is establishing a highly competitive environment that captures interest and boosts awareness of the sport.
Launching a programme for girls rugby
Last year we launched the RugbyWA Girls Development Centre for players aged 14 to 18. It was a really exciting process, the goal was to nurture aspiring elite athletes, with its primary focus on providing essential core skills development.
I secured Des Taurima and Tamati Young as coaches, who shared a genuine commitment to the holistic development of our players. Together we selected 30 players from the Regional State Championships games (a three game series) that were held in September.
Previously, I've ensured that players have benefited from workshops covering topics like menstrual cycle and mental skills. This time around, I took it a step further through listening to the needs and aspirations of the players during their player and parent interviews into the program.
It became evident that developing confidence was a goal for many players and so I arranged a confidence-building workshop for the participants. I really enjoy setting up these programs and adapting along the way to better support players' aspirations both on and off the field.
I was previously a rugby officer for WRU. At 19 I felt like I was thrown into the deep end when I became the central point of contact for the women's game in North Wales.
Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful for that opportunity. I was fortunate to be a part of a supportive and experienced team, and I learned a great deal from them.
Early in my career with the WRU, I experienced firsthand the importance of resilience. Despite initially feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, I gradually gained confidence and skills over the two years in that position.
I learned to navigate challenges from the community with greater ease, and I am deeply appreciative of the lessons learned during that time. Most importantly, this experience allowed me to discover my true passion for women’s sports and cultivating strong connections and bonds in the community.
Pathway rugby for women and girls in Australia
The pathway for the female game in Australia will vary from each Member Union. In WA, our pathway for girls begins with club rugby, which currently is a 7-a-side competition, but we aim to grow to 15-a-side.
Players then progress to the Regional State Championships. This year we’ve changed the model to be separate teams (Black and Gold), as previously there has been varying depth between North and South regions.
Following Regionals, players progress into performance programs such as the RugbyWA Development Centre.
Looking ahead, we plan to introduce an Academy program for a select group of players, offering specialised training to prepare them for potential advancement into the Western Force. Regionals also serve as talent identification for our state teams.
Last year marked a significant milestone for RugbyWA as we entered U16 and U18 sides in the Southern States Championships hosted by the Brumbies. It was a historic moment as it marked the inaugural appearance of an U16 girls' side.
Given the absence of a national youth competition, Member Unions take the lead in organising such events. This year, I've collaborated with NSWJRU (New South Wales Junior Rugby Union) to arrange a more competitive fixture in December.
For women, we've introduced Community 10s, a 10-a-side initiative aimed at welcoming newcomers, returning mothers and less-confident 18-year-olds to the game.
Premiership rugby represents the highest level of club competition in Perth. Last season, we formed the first-ever women’s Perth Gold team, a senior State team that competes against other Member Unions in the Australian Rugby Shield. Then throughout the season, standout players are scouted by Western Force.
Rugby Australia's recent boost in investment for Women’s Rugby and the Wallaroos is a major win for our sport. It's a positive sign that they're recognising the growth happening.
I'm hopeful that this will pave the way for more support in the girls' pathway, maybe even leading to a Super W youth competition. It was incredible to see five WA girls at the first Super W Youth Camp last year, and the camp was a step in the right direction to identifying the talent available from all the States.
The upcoming seasons will be pivotal, and our emphasis will be on enhancing the competition for women and girls. With the Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia in 2029, our primary goal is to nurture our players, ensuring they have the opportunity to be selected to represent their country in their home World Cup.