Munster Rugby v Benetton Rugby Match Programme

“THERE’S A PLACE
FOR EVERYONE”
Munster Rugby caught up with Women’s
Committee Chairperson Wendy Keenan
recently to discuss the development of the
female game in the province and her hopes for
the future once on-pitch activity returns.
With the domestic game on hold for a significant
portion of the last 12 months, Keenan admits
there is disappointment that some of their
exciting plans were put on hold but the former
Munster player admits she is excited for when
rugby does return considering the growth of
the women’s game in Munster, particularly at
underage and Minis level.
“There’s a place for everyone,” Keenan says
about the inclusivity of rugby in the province.
“What’s important is that we promote
participation and engagement with the group at
all levels. It doesn’t have to be at a competitive
level. Some girls just want to play for the
camaraderie, that aspect of it. That’s important
that we take that into consideration as well as
a committee and we provide opportunities for
girls to just play rugby.
“They can attend blitz days and we often
use Barbarians style blitz days. That’s been
hugely successful, especially around the
development of the adult game. In 2019 we
did those development days and they were
hugely popular. It’s definitely an aspect that
needs to be promoted and it’s great to see,
while traditionally the Minis would be a mix of
boys and girls, we’re seeing lots of girls teams,
female-only Minis teams now coming through
in Munster.
That just shows the growth of the game. That’s
something as a committee that we have to look
at and be cognisant of the fact because that will
translate into even more increasing numbers at
U14s which brings logistical issues when you’re
organising a league but it is wonderful to see.”
Although there is no on-pitch activity currently
taking place, there is plenty of work going on
behind the scenes in the female game.
With the Regional Development Squads, there
are 80 players undertaking weekly individual
skills and S&C programmes from home. As part
of this, there are weekly online fitness classes in
addition to fun-based skills and S&C challenges.
Aligned with this, there are 20 coaches involved
in the female game who have been invited to
take part in the recently established Munster
Women’s Rugby Coach Development Pathway.
At club level, online workshops have taken
place which promote home player development
programmes that have been provided by the
Rugby Development Department. In addition to
this, the #MoveWithMunster campaign, which
includes demonstrations from Ciara Griffin, Enya
Breen and Eimear Considine, provides young
players with fun animal movement challenges
they can do from home.
A Munster Rugby Women Development
webinar series also took place before
Christmas which focussed on Mini and agegrade
coaches involved in the women’s game
28 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE