RFUW looking to unearth new international Sevens talent

Following the success of last year’s England Women Open Sevens Trials, the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) will once again host open trials in April in a bid to unearth some new rugby talent.

12 months ago, 85 players attended the open trials and eight players, who had never played rugby for England before, were selected into the Elite Player Squad. England then went on to compete in five tournaments last year, picking up a championship win in the European Sevens and reaching the final of the inaugural Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup in Dubai.

With Rugby Sevens now on the Olympic agenda, with the sport set to make its debut in 2016 at the Rio de Janeiro Games, Rugby Sevens is going from strength to strength. This season there will be two further Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup Series in Hong Kong (March 23-24) and London (May 12-13) and there are plans afoot to establish an IRB Women’s Sevens World Series in time for the start of the 2012/13 season.

The England Sevens trials will be held on April 21st at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and the trials are completely OPEN. You don’t need a huge amount of Sevens experience and players can be selected from both inside and outside of the current RFUW Performance Pathways. Those attending trials will be tested on their fitness, rugby skills and game play.

Nicola Ponsford, the RFUW’s Head of Performance, said: “We think there are players outside of our current system with huge amounts of talent who we’ve never seen before. Some of these players may only just have started playing at University or College for example but have the potential to become fantastic players. We really want anyone who has a great level of fitness or rugby skills to come along and show us what they can do. This really is a chance to unearth new talent.”

If you’re selected into the Elite Player Squad or Sevens development pathway , you’ll receive strength and conditioning training, one-on-one coaching and the opportunity to train with England’s top sevens coaches. Plus, of course, represent your country in the England Sevens programme which this season will include the London Sevens, the European Women’s Sevens series and the 2013 WRWC Sevens Qualification tournament amongst other high profile championships.

To submit your application to attend the open trials go to https://secure.jotform.com/form/20522116373. Entries must be received by April 13th.