Rugby is a unique sport in a class of its own. It stands out for its physicality, strategy, and sportsmanship. It features continuous play, requiring teamwork, strength, speed, and tactical thinking. Unique elements like rucks and mauls add excitement. Rugby also emphasizes respect for opponents and referees. The camaraderie and community in rugby are exceptional.
Women's rugby has garnered tremendous popularity across Canada, with solid support in provinces like British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. British Columbia, in particular, hosts major international tournaments. Ontario and Quebec also have vibrant women's rugby communities with many clubs and competitive teams.
The sport is also steadily gaining traction in other provinces, with more women and girls getting involved at the grassroots and competitive levels. It has helped break down gender barriers in sports and inspired young women to get involved. Why doesn’t the sport gain the recognition it deserves in our province?
Late last month, the Swilers Women’s defeated the CBS Baymen, a strong ladies' rugby team from Conception Bay South, in the final of the Deacy Cup. The Deacy Cup is awarded to the Champions of Newfoundlands Senior Women's Rugby.
Bob Greene, Swilers Ladies coach, was proud of the ladies' effort in the victory.
“This is the second year in a row that we’ve faced the Baymen at home in the final. Last year, we won 19-17; this year, the final score was 12-10. Both finals were very competitive games and showcased the skill of women's rugby.
The only problem is not many people knew about their victory. No local media covered the championship.
“It’s always been a struggle for the women's team regarding media and general support compared to the men's side. Rugby has always had deep support from the “old boys” for the men's teams, but times are changing.”
Greene stressed that women's sports, especially rugby, have evolved drastically over the past ten years.
“Women's rugby is about speed and skill and is exciting to watch. Nowadays, women's rugby is starting to turn heads.”
Many people also don't realize that the women’s game has a long, distinguished history in the province.
“Woman Rugby in Newfoundland began with support from Frank Deacy. Frank was a player, coach, and one of the founders of Rugby in our Province,” said Greene. “He was also a huge supporter of girl’s and women’s rugby and the coach of the first junior and senior women’s teams to represent Newfoundland.”
The Swilers Women’s teams' history dates back to the mid-to-late 1980s under Roxanne Butler's coaching, support, and determination. Butler coached many Swilers junior and senior women's teams and is now the women's director for Swilers Rugby in Newfoundland. She has also held roles at the Canadian Rugby level.
Greene said his introduction to coaching women's rugby started three years ago. After playing the game for 30 years, coaching seemed to be the next logical step.
“It was a great fit for me. I had experience coaching women's high school and being a player-coach for a senior men's team.”
He said one of the things he emphasizes to players as a coach is what it means to be Swiler. When he coaches his team, it is more about the game at hand and the importance of the club and its history.
“Swilers are more than just any rugby club. More than any sports team. We’re not just coaches, players, and teammates. We are genuinely friends and family. There's something special when you play for Swilers.
Greene said his approach to the game, team development, planning, and strategy comes from his experience and knowledge, which he learned from the best coaches in Newfoundland Rugby, such as Denis Murphy and Pat Parfrey.
He said the combination of these two great coaches, his organizational skills, and his inquisitive nature still pushes him to learn and improve his coaching skills every season.
He said that coaching women is about respecting and treating everyone as equals.
“I’ve always been someone who speaks my mind, and if I see something that someone needs to work on, I’ll tell them. I think players respect that, and it seems to work. I also make sure I let everyone know what they do well.”
Greene also believes a team's success goes beyond winning championships. It is also about building player recruitment and solidifying the core of the women's rugby team for years to come.
“When I started coaching this team, we had approximately eight players out to practice. That season, we increased our numbers to 19. This past season, we had almost 40 players on my senior women's list, and 25 were out to practice. To me, the success is in the numbers.”
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