Five nations at women’s development camp

The Women’s Development Camp, which also included coaches and referees, was organised as part of the RFU's Unity Project (a legacy project for the 2015 Rugby World Cup which brings together 17 developing European nations with English counties, aiming to develop links and grow the game across the continent) and also forms a part of the RFU's contribution to the "IMPACT Beyond" programme, following on from WRWC 2014.

The five countries taking part – Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia and Belgium – are currently ranked 8th to 12th in European XVs with at least three and possibly four competing to the European Trophy later this year. The will also be competing for the final European place in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup (alongside Spain and sixth ranked Six Nations team) next year, as well as places at the Olympics and the 2018 Sevens World Cup. Many of the young players who took part in the camp at the Grosvenor Hall in Ashford could be a key part for their countries in these campaigns over the next few years. Each Union 10 players, two coaches and a referee for the camp, which involved skills coaching and sessions on a variety of topics including match analysis and nutrition.

“It's been a great honour to be part of this really unique project,” said Anna Lena Swartz, coach of Sweden Women's Under-18s. “The players have been developing skills and the camp has also helped them grow their own personalities. From a coaching perspective I understand my role so much better - it's about players and coaches working together to solve problems. The main stand out aspects of the camp has been the solidarity between everyone here and the way that the RFU so willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with us all. We would love to be invited again and we would strongly encourage other nations to take up this wonderful opportunity.”

Rosie Williams, the RFU’s Head of Local Rugby Delivery, said: “'This camp is one of the best things I've been involved with in women's rugby. Seeing girls of this age and their coaches working together with RFU coaches and Educators to improve rugby across Europe has been fantastic.”

Alex Austerberry, Divisional Talent Development Officer, added: “This has been a wonderful celebration of rugby, bringing nations together, sharing ideas, helping each other develop and driving rugby forward across Europe.”

IMPACT Beyond

The RFU and nine other Women's RWC 2014 participating Unions are currently delivering projects as part of the IMPACT Beyond programme for WRWC 2014, as women’s rugby seeks to take full advantage of the feel-good factor in the sport after last summer’s record-breaking tournament. In New Zealand, for example, the flexibility afforded by a tournament-based approach – as opposed to a season-long league system – has helped bring new players, particularly resident Pacific Islanders, to the women’s game.

The Irish Rugby Football Union, meanwhile, has chosen to target participation growth in girl’s mini rugby through the ‘Give it a Try’ programme. Before the initiative was introduced only six clubs had a girl’s mini rugby team, now there are 40.

All of the schemes are in various stages of development but World Rugby say that they have all been hugely successful in helping to progress women's rugby globally.

“Some great work is happening on the back of the ten approved projects,” said Su Carty, World Rugby women’s development manager.“More women are coming into the game and the unions are progressing their development structures to maximise the potential for further growth building up to WRWC 2017.”