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.

National Sevens: Results

Under 15

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	London Irish	Reading
Plate	Litchfield	Mowden Rockliffe

Under 18

Competition	Winner	Runner – up
Cup	Welwyn	Worcester
Plate	Litchfield	Ellingham + Ringwood
Bowl	Reading	Tyldesley / Waterloo

RFUW announce open trials for England Sevens squad

Fancy playing in the next Sevens World Cup - or maybe the Olympic Games? Well, now is your chance - but you had better be quick!

RFUW are organising open trials for a new national sevens squad, which will take place at Surrey Sports Park on 15th May. Any adult players (ie. aged 18 or over on the day) can attend - no previous membership of any regional, divisional or national squads or development groups is required - but you have to complete and return this form https://www.jotform.com/form/10660735368 by 7th May.

England are a year behind many countries in their preparations for the 2013 Sevens World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Countries from around the world started to concentrate their efforts on Sevens after last year's XVs World Cup. During the last Six Nations France selected players for their Sevens squad ahead of their XVs team, Netherlands recently announced that they will have a semi-professional squad from the end of this season, and Australia have said that they will be putting most of their efforts into Sevens over the next few years.

“This is a new and a very exciting initiative from the RFUW,” said Nicola Ponsford, the RFUW’s Head of Performance. “We think there are lots of 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 good level of fitness to come along and show us what they can do. This really is a chance to unearth new talent.”

National Girls 7's Harpenden RFC Sat 29th May Results

U18 Cup Winners: Ellingham + Ringwood; U18 Cup R/Up: London Irish.



U18 Plate Winners: Tyldeseley; U18 Plate R/Up: Letchworth Saracens.



U15 Cup Winners: Ellingham + Ringwood; U15 Cup R/Up: Worcester.



U15 Plate Winners: Burfield; U15 Plate R/U: Morpeth.

Herts Girls 7's Tring RFC Sun 16th May Results

TringRugby Club hosted the 2010 Herts Girls 7's tournament on Sunday 16th May at there grounds in Cow Lane,Tring. 40 teams from Herts, Beds, Bucks, Surrey, Kent, Oxford, Leices and Worces Clubs and Schools attended. After competing in Leagues the U18 and U15 Semi Finals and Finals were keenly competed with some attractive and flowing Rugby being played,, the U12's played in a round robin league format to decide the champions.

The tournament was possibly the largest Girls 7's competition held in the UK ,TringRugbys premier league partner club, Wasps provided 1st team players from their men's and women sides for the presentations along with the club mascot "Sting". The results are as follows:

U18 Section

Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runner up - Welwyn Saints
Plate: Winners - Ealing; Runner up - Reading
Bowl: Winners - Paviors; Runner up - Letchworth Saracens
Shield: Winners - Oxfordshire; Runner up - Aylestone St James


U15 Section

Cup: Winners - London Irish; Runner up - Paviors
Plate: Joint Winners - Rochford and Berkshire Ba Baa's
Bowl: Winners - Bucks Jesters; Runner up - Letchworth Saracens
Shield: Winners - Guildford; Runner up - Oxfordshire B
Egg Cup: Winners - Hertford; Runner up - Old Albanians

U12 Section

Cup Winners: Hertfordshire Ba Baa's.

Herts Sevens 2010: Fixtures and match times (REVISED)

Tring have now published the FINAL fixtures and match times for Herts 7s on 16th May. Click here for details. You are requested to bring a copy of this with you to the tournament.

Further information from Tring:

LEAGUE FORMAT:

1)WIN =  2 POINTS , DRAW = 1 POINT, LOSE = 0 POINTS.

2) NO conversions in the league stages.

3) EQUAL POINTS AT THE END OF THE LEAGUE FORMAT = winners of the match between the teams on level point / try's scored / try's conceded / toss of the coin.

SEMI FINAL FORMAT:

1) Conversions will apply.

2) If at full time teams are equal on points = Team with most trys scored / most conversions / toss of a coin.

FINAL FORMAT: 

1) Conversions will apply.

2) If equal at full time = Team with most trys scored / most conversions / if all equal then teams will share the trophy.

---

What happens next?

1) Let Mark Firth at Tring (mf@taplowconsulting.com) know if you are coming by coach, we need to reserve spots to park them.

2) All teams need to fill in there squad sheets and HAND THEM IN TO THE TANNOY UPON ARRIVAL

3) PLEASE NOTE - NO DOGS ALLOWED ON SITE

4) PARKING IS FREE - NO PARKING ALONG COW LANE WHICH WILL HAVE CONES ALL ALONG IT.

5) Presentations - will follow completion of ALL FINALS by the Tannoy area, Medals for both teams competing in the final and trophy for the winners.

Herts Sevens 2010: the draw

Tring RFC, hosts of this years' Herts Sevens, have now made the draw for the tournament. Organiser Mark Firth reports:

Ladies and Gents,

The Draw (details below)
Last Night at OA's clubhouse the Herts 7's tournament draw took place, with celebrities and TV companies grounded due to Icelandic ash , our good friends from Herts RFU drew the teams whilst marching bands and the Chippendales danced in the spotlights.

We have 22 teams for the U15 section and 22 teams for the U18's participating in the tournament. We devised a "seeding" system that took into account last years finalists and tried to keep teams from the same counties apart from each other in the "league" stages,although some Hert's teams will play each other at that stage due to the number of teams entering from the area.

U18's - Late entrants Wisbech are in group 1, We have put a Ba Baa's side in group 3, Hertford have 3 ladies for the Ba Baa's but if other teams have "extra" players, please let me know, so we can confirm this Ba Baa's side. Groups 1 and 3 have 6 teams, so the 2 teams that finish bottom from those groups will play in a "wooden spoon" final.

U15's - Groups 1 and 3 have 6 teams, so the 2 teams that finish bottom in those groups will play in a  "wooden spoon" final.

U12's - We only had 2 teams enter, we are trying to get others involved and are talking to the 2 teams concerned, we do want to have an U12's section to this tournament.

What happens next?
1) In the coming 2 weeks ,we will announce the fixture schedule, Due to the number of teams we intend to kick off the tournament at 10:00am on the 16th May.

2) Once the league matches have produced a table, Group 1 winners will play Group 3 in the semi's, Group 2 winners will play Group 4 winners in the semi's for the cup,we will also have plate, Bowl, Shield and golden spoon semis and finals depending on where teams finish in the leagues, this should ensure all teams make a semi final.

3) We will issue details about parking etc at the same time as the fixtures. I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY TEAMS ARE COMING BY COACH SO I CAN MAKE PARKING ARRANGEMENTS.

Pre Tournament Entertainment
In Tring the largest company is Grass Roots PLC, they support a number of the towns sports clubs including the rugby club, to celebrate the companies 30th anniversary, they are holding a "SPIRIT OF TRING" night on Saturday 15th May at the football club next door to us, 6000 people are expected and Tring Rugby is helping organise food and drink for the event.

We cannot give any "group" discount" as this is a local fund raising event, BUT TRING RUGBY WILL SPONSOR A MEAL AND DRINK TICKET PER PERSON IN YOUR PARTY THAT BOOKS (please advise me once you have completed the online booking for yourself or group).

Any teams that are looking to travel up to the area the night before and want entertaining, the details are:
Doors open at 6m and the show will conclude around 10.30pm, TICKETS ARE: ADULT £20/ U16 £15 per person.

The fabulously talented and well known local band Soul Fish will kick the event off in style with their unique brand of high energy Soul and Rhythm & Blues.

They will be followed by The Music of Queen – A Rock & Symphonic Spectacular, which features a full rock band and songs from the West End smash hit musical We Will Rock You, combined with an orchestra, performing epic arrangements of Queen's huge hits.

The event will conclude with a stunning Proms Symphony Orchestra playing the full range of memorable classics.

There will be food,drink available and a fabulous fireworks finale.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND  TICKET PURCHASES CAN BE FOUND AT - www.spirit-of-tring.com

U15 DRAW

Group 1
London Irish
Aylestone St James
Oxfordshire A
Letchworth Saracens
Oakmeadians
OA's

Group 2
Welwyn Garden City
Rochford 100
Ealing Middx leapords
Guildford
Old Northampton

Group 3
Worcester
Berkshire Ba Baa's
Stevenage
Camberley
Oxfordshire B
Royston

Group 4
Paviors
Bucks Jesters
Hertford
Newquay
Bishop Stortford

U18 DRAW

Group 1
London Irish
Bucks Jesters
Oakmeadians
Oxfordshire
Royston
Wisbech


Group 2
Worcester
Paviors
Ealing Middx Leapords
Bishop Stortford
Welwyn Garden City Sinners

Group 3
Welwyn Garden City Saints
Reading
Newquay
Richard Hale School
Aylestone St James B
Hertford BA BAA'S

Group 4
Rochford 100
Letchworth Saracens
Aylestone St James A
Thomas Becket School
Old Northampton

Kind Regards

Mark Firth,TringRugby

Herts 7s: U15 Team from India would like to take part!

Mark Firth, the Organiser of this Seasons Herts Girls 7’s Tournament at Tring RFC, was contacted last Wednesday about this, and the facts as we understand them are:

• A Girls Team from India have heard of the Herts Girls 7’s (they are 10 Girls + Coaches).
• They have asked if they could take part in this years Tournament.
• Their Air Fares would potentially be paid by Touraid, a Christian Charity that helps Sports Club Tours for Children from disadvantaged parts of the World.
• They have asked if we could find 5 "host families" to put up the Girls up for a week (around the time of the Tournament) whilst they are here.

Can any of you help? If so please contact:
Andy Berry
CEO, Touraid
164, Portsmouth Road
Cobham KT11 1HS
www.touraid.org
UK 07980-042358
UK 01932-863388

Herts Girls 7's 16th May 2010: Tring RFC

Hertfordshire Womens and Girls Rugby are pleased to announce that we have a new host for this Seasons Herts Girls 7’s on 16th May 2010. Tring have confirmed that they will have 4 Pitches available (2 x U15 and 2 x U18) plus an area for the U12 Section and it is another great opportunity for Girls Rugby to be showcased in a different part of the County.

Click here for the invitation letter and entry form.

National Girls 7's 2009 Results Harpenden RFC 23rd May

U15's:

Cup: Winners - Worcester; R/U - Welwyn.

Plate: Winners - H3; R/U - Exeter Saracens.

U18's:

Cup: Winners - Reading; R/U - Welwyn.

Plate: Winners - Letchworth; R/U - H3.

Herts Girls 7's 2009 Results Old Albanians RFC 17th May

U12's:

Cup: Winners - Hertford; R/U - Stevenage.
U15's:

Cup: Winners - Paviors; R/U - Worcester.
Plate: Winners - Hertford; R/U - Bucks Cluster.
Bowl: Winners - Saracens; R/U - West Oxon
Shield: Winners - Oakmedians; R/U - Old Northamptians.
Egg Cup: Winners - Old Albanians; R/U - Letchworth

U18's:Cup: Winners - Welwyn; R/U - Reading.
Plate: Winners - Burfield; R/U - West Oxon.
Bowl: Winners - Suffolk Sabres; R/U - Bucks Cluster.
Shield: Winners - Plymouth; R/U - Saracens.

Draw for Herts 7s 2009

The draw for Herts 7s, to be held at Old Albanians on 17th May, was made at Welwyn yesterday evening. This will be the largest ever Herts 7s and will feature 20 U15 and 16 U18 teams, as well as a U12 competition. 

U15s :

• Group A : Worcester, Berks Barbarians, Norfolk Nomads, Old Northamptonians, Letchworth
  
• Group B : London Irish, Bucks Jesters, West Oxon, Ealing, OAs
  
• Group C : Paviors, Oakmedians, Saracens, Hertford, Wasps
  
• Group D : Welwyn, Aylestone St. James, Plymouth Albion, Camberley, Stevenage
  

U18s :

• Group A : Paviors, Suffolk Sabres, Saracens, West Oxon
  
• Group B : Reading, Aylestone St. James, Thomas Beckett, Hertford
  
• Group C : Letchworth, Oakmedians A, Ealing, Old Northamptonians
  
• Group D : Welwyn, Bucks Jesters, Plymouth Albion, Oakmedians B
  

The draw for the U12 competition will be made on the day.

Herts Sevens 2009: Entries now open

Entries are now open for the 2009 Herts Girls' Sevens tournament - the county's sixth annual girls rugby festival.  All participants from last season’s successful tournament held at Tabard RFC have been sent invitations today, but any clubs are also welcome to enter.

In keeping with tradition the venue changes each year, so it is the turn of the OA Saints at OA Rugby to host this prestigious event on Sunday 17th May 2009. Clubs may enter U12, U15 and U18 teams in each age group. 

The tournament has grown to become one of the biggest girls rugby events in the country - in terms of entries it is normally second only to the National Sevens - attracting teams from across the East, East Midlands, West Midlands, and Thames Valley - and, as well as being a great event in its own right, it is the ideal warm-up for the national competition. 

The key objective remains the same as last year which is to provide a festival where as many girls can take part as possible, so entries from combined teams from more than one club will be allowed, and a “Barbarian” side at each age group will also be organised if needed.

Please note however that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Once 16 teams have applied at each age group, entries will be closed. Clubs wishing to take part are urged to get their entries in early.

For entry forms and more information please follow this link.

Rochford Festival 2nd November - cancelled

This seasons Rochford Festival (U15 7's and U18 10's) has been cancelled due to a fixture clash.

May 2009 Tournaments

The following Girls Tournament dates at the end of next season have now been confirmed:

• Sun 3rd May: Worthing Festival.
• Sun 10th May: Dorking Festival.
• Sun 17th May: Herts 7's (Venue T.B.C).
• W/e 23-24th May (Sat or Sun T.B.C): National 7's (Venue T.B.C).

Rochford Festival 2008

It has been announced that the date of the Rochford Festival has been changed from Sun 9 Nov to Sun 2 Nov 2008 to avoid clashing with County Training on the original date.

National 7's Results

Women Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runners-up - Richmond.

Women Plate: Winners - Waterloo; Runners-up - Chesham.

Women Bowl: Winners - OA Saints; Runners-up - Wimbledon.

Women Dinner Service: Winners - Hertford; Runners-up - London Welsh.

U18 Cup: Winners - Exeter Saracens; Runners-up - Wimbourne.

U18 Plate: Winners - Welwyn; Runners-up - Darlington M.P.

U15 Cup: Winners - North Hykeham; Runners-up - Exeter Saracens.

U15 Plate: Winners - Tynedale; Runners-up - Worcester

Dorking Girls 7's 11th May Winners and Runners up

U12 Cup Winner: Perins School
U12 Cup R/up: Beckenham/Old Alleynians

U15 Cup Winner: London Irish
U15 Cup R/up: Ellingham & Ringwood

U15 Plate Winner: Dorking
U15 Plate R/up: Guildford

U18 Cup Winner: Dorking
U18 Cup R/up: Worthing

U18 Plate Winner: Chobham
U18 Plate R/up: Letchworth

Worthing Girls Festival Sun 4th May

The Worthing Festival is now an integral part of the Girls Rugby Season. Teams travel to it from as far as Worcester, Sleaford and Leicestershire, and now that it has moved to the first Bank Holiday weekend in May (next season Sun 3 May 2009) some teams are making it part of a 'Tour'. There is a 10's Section at both U15 and U18, and this year a 7's Section at U12 was introduced for the first time.

Welwyn U15's entered, but with only 7 Players available, for various reasons, needed to borrow Players from other Clubs to make up a team. In the true spirit of Rugby, both Basford and Paviors lent Players, but unfortunately Welwyn were knocked out at the Group Stage this year.

Glenn Warren, the Chair of Worthing Ladies and Girls Rugby, said that it their intention to try and expand the U12's Section next Season and they are also contemplating having a Senior 7's Tournament on the Saturday, turning the whole weekend over t0 Womens and Girls Rugby.

The results were:

U12's - Cup Winners: Worthing - Runners up: Beckenham

U15's - Cup Winners: Londin Irsh - Runners up: H3

U15's - Plate Winners: Folkstone Fillies - Runners up: Dorking

U18's - Cup Winners: Basford - Runners up: Paviors/Tamworth (Pavworth)

U18's - Plate Winners: Solent Sirens - Runners up: Old Leamingtonians

Rochford U15 7's

U15 Results
Aylesford Bulls B 0 Basford 36
Aylesford Bulls A 29 Hertford 17
Welwyn Warriors 31 Aylesford Bulls B 10
Basford 21 Aylesford Bulls A 10
Hertford 0 Welwyn Warriors 28
Aylesford Bulls A 10 Aylesford Bulls B 15
Basford 52 Hertford 7
Welwyn Warriors 19 Aylesford Bulls A 19
Aylesford Bulls B 25 Hertford 10
Basford 31 Welwyn Warriors 7

Table Standings
Basford 19 points - Winners
Welwyn 13 points - Runners Up
Aylesford A 10points
Aylesford B 9 points
Hertford 4 points