As women’s rugby experiences a rapid growth across the world, Pirates Rugby Club in Greenside is nurturing the next generation of female players.
In recent years, the youth rugby team has seen a gradual increase in girls under 10 joining, often playing in mixed teams with boys. Bianca Engelbrecht from Pirates Youth Rugby noted, “Girls’ rugby has seen a slow uptake, but we’re encouraged by more young girls coming to the club.
Also read: Sisterly support helps young rugby star thrive on and off the field
Engelbrecht believes grassroots initiatives are key to changing perceptions and creating opportunities for girls in the sport. By introducing rugby at an early age, these programmes help young players build confidence while developing essential skills.
Mila Noortman.
“Grassroots programmes play a crucial role in introducing young girls to rugby by creating access, skills development, and confidence from an early age,” she said.However, she noted that one of the biggest challenges remains the perception that rugby is too dangerous for girls. Some parents and schools remain hesitant to encourage participation due to concerns about injuries, which can slow the growth of the sport.
Despite these barriers, Pirates is working to strengthen links with nearby schools to create more opportunities for girls to get involved. The club hopes to eventually offer programmes that complement school schedules while allowing players to continue developing their skills.
Engelbrecht said the Pirates women’s team has also helped lay the foundation for younger players by providing visible role models and demonstrating that there is a pathway for girls who want to pursue rugby more seriously.
Regular training sessions and matches are another important part of the development process.
Also read: Rugby rucks and hockey strikes fire up Jozi fests
“The more training, matches and skills development there is, the more ball time and field time players have, which translates into experience.”
Beyond the physical aspects of the sport, Engelbrecht said rugby also helps young players develop confidence, teamwork and resilience.
She has seen this growth first-hand among the girls involved in the programme.
“Working in a team sport like rugby helps girls grow in personal confidence both on and off the field.”
Visibility also plays a significant role in inspiring participation. Engelbrecht believes that the presence of female coaches and players can motivate more girls to consider the sport.
“The more visibility and representation, the more inspiration.”
Looking ahead, Pirates hopes to develop a strong pathway where girls can begin playing rugby at a young age and continue progressing through the club’s structures.
“We hope that girls can start playing at Pirates from the age of six and continue their rugby journey into adulthood,” Engelbrecht said, adding that the ultimate dream is to see players from the club one day represent South Africa.
For Engelbrecht, the message to parents and schools is simple: give girls the opportunity to try the sport. “Start them young. Don’t hold them back. Let them have fun.”
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!