|
Women
test the best
Rugby
Union
 |
ABOVE: Australian Wallaroos
representative LEUT Nyree Osiek (left) eyes off her Western
Australian opponent during the opening game of the ARU
tournamentat Narrabeen, while MIDN
Tina Lobban tries to reel her in.
Photo by
Michael Weaver.
|
| |
 |
|
The
player named best rookie for the ASRU side, MIDN Amanda
Eddy, shrugs her opponent during the ARU tournament at Narrabeen.
Photo by Michael
Weaver.
|
An Australian
Services Rugby Union (ASRU) women’s team took on some of the
country’s top female sides during an Australian Rugby Union
(ARU) tournament at Narrabeen in Sydney from October 7-11.
The competition saw games in 10s and 7s formats against teams from
Western Australia, ACT and a Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team,
which marked a first for any ASRU women’s side.
The ASRU women placed third in the respective events, but drew high
praise from ARU tournament officials, who noted the team as the
most organised, with the words “strong commitment and excellent
co-ordination” mentioned.
ASRU women’s coach LCDR Rob McLauchlin from the ADF Warfare
Centre at RAAF Williamtown, said the event was a purely testing
ground for future ASRU sides.
He said the squad of 18 players and five support staff gained a
great deal from the week of matches, winning two of their five games
in the 10s and two of five games in the 7s.
“This format gave us a chance to blood players at a competitive
level and Chris Talbot (assistant coach) and I are certainly keen
to keep going in this direction,” said Rob.
“The main thing is that the team came together very well and
improved with each game.
“The aim now is to put a development program together, with
short and long term plans for the future of women’s rugby in
the services.”
In the short term, Rob is looking to an ASRU women’s side participating
in an Australian Rugby Union competition next year, while further
afield are plans for an ASRU women’s side to tour another country.
"In the meantime, we'll look at building the numbers of women
playing rugby in the services to give us a wider base to choose
from," said Rob.
While saying that all played very well, a number of team awards
were handed out at the conclusion.
Best and fairest player was team captain, CAPT Viv Law (Army). Best
rookie was MIDN Amanda Eddy (Navy). Players’ player was CAPT
Rebecca Talbot (Army).
Special mention was also made of SPR Beth Van Dooren (Army)and Australian
Walaroosrepresentative LEUT Nyree Osiek (Navy) for their efforts.
|
