- BKT United Rugby Championship Round 15
- AIL: Young Munster carry Limerick title hopes
- Champions Richmond take title with some style
- Mid-week Rugby Round-up with limerickrugby.ie
- St Mary’s face big league challenge in Thurles
- Richmond take a step closer to Junior League title
- ‘Munsters’ record another victory in their league quest
- Limerick rugby shocked by the passing of Tom Tierney
- Despite defeat coach Gerry Slattery hails his players
- PBC scrape home after thrilling SMC come-back
- Big game for Richmond: ‘Munsters’ to advance in cup
- Frank Quinn looks at forthcoming Six Nations and RWC
- St Mary’s, NCW and Galbally-M earn league wins
- Young Munster’s spirit earns them late bonus points
- Ospreys no match for slick and hungry Munster men
- Can Young Munster move closer to 1993 glory
- New signing will join Munster squad next season
- Zebo and Coombes return for Munster against Ospreys
- Munster’s fixtures for the run-in to Guinness PRO14
- Craig Casey gets the call as Ireland name their 6N 36
- The ‘Clueless Munster’ tag hits a nerve locally
- Late try snatches likely victory away from Munster
- Classic derby game beckons as teams are named
- Tension mounts as local clubs feature in second last fence of Munster Junior League 1
- Impressive win for Clonmel on UL pitch keeps them on title target
- Will Joe Schmidt ring the changes for the Scottish game?
- Cancellations a-plenty as Munster Junior Cup gathers momentum
- Henshaw at full-back not really a gamble as Ireland name their team
- Ian excited about exploring new horizons as he plans two moves
- Nine local clubs in Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup action this week-end
- UL Bohemian and Thomond advance in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup
- Abbeyfeale lift the Transfield Cup for the first time since 1977
- Young Munster facing battle to avoid the drop
- Munster fight hard for victory in Rodney Parade
- Bonus point for Garryowen as Shannon fail to build on recent form
- AIL: Shannon win, Young Munster and Garryowen lose today in 1A
- AIL wins tonight for Old Crescent in 2A and Thomond in 2C
- John Ryan for Archer the only change on the Munster team
- Key Euro games for referees Neville, Clancy, Brace and Lacey
- Frank Quinn’s review of the final pools games of Heineken Cup
- Decent Munster representation on Ireland Six Nations squad
- English clubs’ wretched record at Thomond Park: 21 defeats, 2 wins
- A Newcastle view as their side fails to get winning bonus point
- Is the Transfield Cup final to take place in the Markets Field?
- Defeat for Richmond today dents their junior league title hopes
- Brave Garryowen’s late strike gives them ticket to Bateman decider
- Munster march on towards another home Heineken Cup quarter final
- Munster and Gloucester announce their teams for to-morrow night’s game
- All to play for as Munster Junior League division one hots up
- Garryowen keen to avoid their third successive cup defeat
Irish have legitimate claim for pro contracts
- Updated: 28/08/2014
By Frank Quinn
THE announcement this week by the Rugby Football Union that twenty players, who will make up the England Women’s Sevens squad this coming season, have been awarded central contracts starting next month, could see the gauntlet thrown on the IRFU doorstep
The women’s game on this island claims to have 3,699 senior players, which is a high number but could include registered girls who see very little rugby action. The IRFU, according to their accounts up to April 30th of this year, have spent €1.4m on the women’s game.
Winning the World Cup in France undoubtedly strengthened England Women’s hand and 12 of those who were involved in lifting that trophy will be among the 20 receiving full-time funding for the first time. It is a significant step forward for the women’s game. The squad will compete on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit this season as they seek qualification as Great Britain for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The programme will see the England players train five days a week throughout the season, excluding tournament time, at Twickenham Stadium and Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. There, they will receive strength and conditioning, medical, nutritional, lifestyle and psychological support while the programme will be run by the RFU’s Head of Women’s Performance Nicola Ponsford and England Women’s Sevens Head Coach Simon Middleton, who was part of the Rugby World Cup winning coaching team. Middleton will be assisted by coaching staff from the England Women’s set-up.
The Irish women will read these details with keen interest. For instance, English sevens players will be awarded the central contracts on a yearly basis and they will still be expected to play international XVs and Premiership rugby.
There are a few factors hindering progress for the Irish girls regarding professional contracts. Sponsorship has been limited, income from attendances is small and while their performances in the World Cup boosted the women’s game significantly, there will be a lull in publicity now until the next Six Nations.
If Ireland qualify for the Olympics, which is possible, then they should be paid for preparation, like other amateur athletes. At least that would be a step in the right direction. So, over to the IRFU on that one.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login