Women gain rugby knowledge

With the first women’s rugby season due to start in June, ‘rugby smart’ training sessions have begun to give players a better understanding of the game.

The first rugby smart session was held on Monday afternoon which saw a good turnout of women rugby players and supporters.

Women’s rugby organiser Lara Sadaraka says that the rugby smart training sessions give players the opportunity to learn proper rugby playing techniques and skills in order to lift the standard of women’s rugby in the Cook Islands.

Normally women rugby players just have a few weeks of training prior to the annual international sevens tournament which has been the only event that local women have been able to play in.

But, Sadaraka says that despite the short time local women have to prepare for the November international sevens tournament, local teams have always been “up there” with visiting teams.

Superior rugby knowledge and techniques have set the international teams apart from the locals and it is hoped that the rugby smart sessions will improve how local women play the game.

The weekly Monday afternoon sessions will also help players shed some of their fears about the contact sport from proper tackling techniques to how to look after the ball in a ruck and maul situation.

With rugby sevens the newest Olympic sport, Sadaraka says that the announcement means that there will be a lot of opportunities for local women rugby players.

There is also the potential to field a women’s rugby sevens team in next year’s New Caledonia Pacific Games.

So if you love your rugby and have always wanted to give it a go, this is your opportunity to understand game and play the sport your love.

The next rugby smart session will be next Monday at the BCI stadium starting at 5pm.

For more information, contact Lara Sadaraka on 55714 to find out how you can take part in the weekly sessions, get involved with women’s rugby or help through sponsorship.