Sevens rugby has ventured into new territory across the Hunter with an all-girls junior competition exceeding even organisers most ambitious predictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maitland girls are in the forefront of the competition and get to showcase their talent at Marcellin Park on Friday night.
The Blacks have teams in the under-15 and under-17 divisions and will host two games in each division with kick off from 6.30pm.
Event organiser Will Scully said the short-term summer sevens program would not only encourage participation, but also help provide a direct pathway from regional areas to the world stage.
“We’re lucky enough to have Hannah Southwell involved, so the girls can see there’s a legitimate pathway,” Scully said. “She’s a Youth Commonwealth Games gold medallist, having represented Australia, her state and region at both senior and junior levels.”
The Maitland girls also have home-grown Australian XVs representative Molly Gray as an inspiration.
Gray played at the last Women’s Rugby World Cup after recovering from knee surgery and an appearance with the Maitland Blacks last year to give her the all clear to play drew hundreds of fans to a freezing cold Marcellin Park on a Friday night.
Maitland’s junior rugby programs staring with the Little Blacks Army under-7 program has been enthusiastically embraced by girls.
Scully said there was a mix of experienced and novice players in the Hunter Junior Rugby Union girls summer sevens and many had come through mixed teams in junior competition ranks..
