Get Your Game ons
Women's rugby gears up for season - P18

By Andrew Stackpool
Volume 48, No. 4, March 23, 2006

LACW Rebekah Allen prepares to offload the ball during a rugby training session at ADFA.

Photo by AB Neil Richards

LEADING Aircraftwoman Rebekah Allen is one of a unique breed in Air Force.

She is one of only seven registered women who play rugby union, a situation the Security Police officer and Australian Services National player is keen to rectify.

She plays with the ADFA Rugby Club and with the Navy for the Service competitions, as Air Force don’t have enough numbers to field their own team.

“I am keen to get more girls playing as an Air Force team,” she says.

“A new team would be better for the overall competition standards [providing a three-way competition in place of the current two-way comp] and give the ASRU selectors a greater choice of players.”

Allen says there are several reasons why more women should try out for rugby.

“It’s an awesome sport and a great way to make friends,” she says.

“I think women should register to play because not only is it great fun, it keeps you fit and teaches you discipline.

It gives you a great sense of mateship, is a fantastic opportunity to represent your Service, and there is no greater feeling than beating the Army.

“I’ve been playing for 10 years and I love it for its physicality, its camaraderie and team support.

“It’s one of the few sports where it’s vital to have the full support of your mates and where you have to watch out for each other, and that camaraderie flows off the field into your social life. Most of my friendships have flowed from the game.”

Allen says it is a character-building sport as training and the competitions require the women to make several sacrifices, including dietary, to maintain the necessary standard of fitness.

A flanker, Allen began playing in Year 12 after a knee injury cut short a potential career in soccer.

She joined the Air Force in 2002 and plays with the ADFA Rugby Club and the Victorian state team, as well as the combined Navy/Air Force team.

She says “In all my years of playing, my greatest victory and feeling was beating Army last year (as part of the Navy team). We came on as underdogs and beat them.

It was very satisfying. It will be great to go out again and prove it wasn’t a fluke.”

She believes the combined Navy/Air Force team is as good as or better than Army for this year’s competitions.

“Navy took both [matches] last year and this year they have everything to lose. I think Navy will give Army a good run for their money and should roll them. Looking at the girls, their heart, enthusiasm, and desire to win is outstanding.

“The girls have bonded well and have good team play. They are very close off the field as well as on. Morale is very high; vital for the winning factor and the girls are great. We also have exceptional coaches and management, which are also vital factors.”

Meanwhile Air Force rugby has a busy year ahead with a full schedule of games including the regional competition at RAAF Base Williamtown March/April, national championships in Canberra in May/June and a tour to New Zealand to follow.

Women interested in playing or finding out more information should visit http://www.airforcerugby.asn.au.

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