Alice, I’ve been thinking about this post a lot. Your flowchart really hit home. It’s heartbreaking to think of the girls who love rugby but miss out because their school doesn’t have a team—what a waste of talent and passion. The school system is broken. Let the clubs run female youth rugby, and imagine how many more players would stay in the game longer.
The gap between 7s and 15s pathways is glaring, and your point about 7s being a band-aid really sticks. Relying on individual motivation and postcode lotteries just won’t cut it. We need to meet players where they are, or rugby league will gladly step in.
Thanks for keeping these issues in the spotlight. The future of the game depends on bridging these gaps now, not just for the next generation of Black Ferns, but to build a sustainable and inclusive rugby culture where talent isn’t lost simply because the system isn’t built to support it.
Alice, I’ve been thinking about this post a lot. Your flowchart really hit home. It’s heartbreaking to think of the girls who love rugby but miss out because their school doesn’t have a team—what a waste of talent and passion. The school system is broken. Let the clubs run female youth rugby, and imagine how many more players would stay in the game longer.
The gap between 7s and 15s pathways is glaring, and your point about 7s being a band-aid really sticks. Relying on individual motivation and postcode lotteries just won’t cut it. We need to meet players where they are, or rugby league will gladly step in.
Thanks for keeping these issues in the spotlight. The future of the game depends on bridging these gaps now, not just for the next generation of Black Ferns, but to build a sustainable and inclusive rugby culture where talent isn’t lost simply because the system isn’t built to support it.
Nick
Yes, where is Muzza???? Been wonderin...
I asked Bunting about her and they in comms so wouldn’t rule out a comeback 🙂
Was she injured?