Rugby Girls
Imagine being told you can't keep playing your favourite sport because of your gender. Well that's what happens to some female junior rugby players when they hit 12 years old. Up until then, girls can play in boys teams. But in some states there's no competition they're allowed to play in after that.
Whether it's tackling, passing or scoring tries, Grace absolutely loves rugby.
GRACE: I really like the tackling because I like just being able to take them to the ground. When I have a really bad day and then I go to rugby and tackle it just gets rid of all the stress.
She's hoping one day to play for Australia, just like her hero Charlotte Caslick.
GRACE: She's really inspiring and I'd really like to be like her when I'm older. Like, she inspires me to keep fit and keep on doing what I'm doing.
Charlotte's a member of Australia's all-conquering Women's Rugby Sevens team, which has just won the World Series and claimed the first-ever gold medal in the sport at the Rio Olympics.
GRACE: I was so proud to be an Aussie and to celebrate their winning. I have no words. Really, it was great.
At the moment, Grace plays with the Souths Rugby club in South Australia, as the only girl in her under 12s side.
KID: She's a good player and she doesn't care if she hurts anyone or if she hurts herself.
But starting from next year, she won't be allowed to play with her team anymore.
KID 2: It's kind of hard because she is our best player.
KID 3: Yeah she's one of our best players and without her the team would fall apart.
KID 4: She's kind of like the sticky stuff that glues us all together.
The reason Grace can't stay with her team, is because World Rugby doesn't allow mixed teams after under 12s. In rugby-mad states like New South Wales and Queensland, it isn't such a big deal because they have separate leagues for girls. But in places like SA, girls like Grace can miss out.
But now it looks like help might be on the way. States and territories around Australia are turning to Rugby Sevens to help bridge the gap because it can be played with fewer people. In SA, they recently started the Firebrands program with regular training sessions and the occasional interstate competition.
KID 5: We get the chance to travel to places with Firebrand, to compete in competitions and have a bit of fun.
While it's not quite the same as having their own league, organisers say it's a step in the right direction for union-mad girls like Grace. They're hoping the success of Australia's Sevens inspires more girls to get involved in rugby. So, eventually, all states have leagues for girls helping to produce more future stars like Grace's hero Charlotte Caslick.
REPORTER: Alright Grace I've got a little bit of a surprise for you here. Press the play button there.
CHARLOTTE CASLICK: Hi Grace thank you so much for your support of the Aussie Sevens at the Rio Olympics. Keep playing your rugby and hopefully one day you'll be representing Australia at the Olympic Games too. See you soon!
GRACE: Oh, wow.
REPORTER: Is there anything you'd like to say back?
GRACE: Thank you very much for all your support and just like answering back thank you so much, you're amazing and inspiring.
- Nic Maher | Reporter
- Women's Rugby: BTN | history
- Training camp aims to fill gap in girls' rugby in Canberra: ABC News | weblink
- Australia | Map
- Read/Submit Comments