Australia plotting a bright future

Australia have been in camp for five days preparing for Hong Kong, and with 16 players currently receiving some financial assistance from the ARU, while still working fulltime, Lane has had a good chance to look at a large number of players. He explains.

Our overall focus is on developing a core squad that provides for a high level of competitiveness for spots particularly as we build towards a World Cup next year, potentially the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Our recent camp was attended by our 16 contracted players as well as a number of young women that have impressed at training and development camps across Australia over the past few months.

Lane adds that he is expecting Hong Kong to provide a massive test for his side.

Youve got to respect everyone, but obviously Canada and England are big threats on the basis of what we saw at Dubai. Canada have gone on to have more success since Dubai so theyre obviously very strong.

Lane and his squad say they are planning to play as many tournaments as possible in the coming year (they have already entered the Amsterdam and London 7s) with a view to being ready to participate in the World Series next year.

Im very excited about the World Series. Its going to be a giant step forward for the competition in general and a great tool for attracting new players to the game. Well certainly be promoting it. I imagine it will have a big appeal to new players and its a great opportunity.

Australia have watched as sides like Holland, USA and Canada have begun to introduce professional programmes to their game with players being paid. Does Lane see his side going the same way?

It something that ARU is working towards and a progression that seems natural for a sport that is growing at a rapid rate. A lot of the current players have careers or are studying for careers and with players spread out everywhere its difficult to get around and get face time with everyone all the time. Going professional would certainly help increase the time the women can be in camp for, however it has to be done right to ensure the standards dont drop and the programme that is in place is not jeopardised.

But while the 7s game is a major focus in Australia at the moment what about their 15s game, where the World Cup semi-finalists havent featured at all since 2010.

There has been an increase in the number of women playing the game overall in Australia - a 5% rise last year to take their numbers to 1,500, but with 7s growing in popularity there is work to be done if the ARU want to keep their 15s side competitive come World Cup time.

Anthony Eddy , the ARUs National Programmes Manager manager said a schedule of games was bring looked at for the 15s side though admitting that 7s is the main focus at the moment.

The ARU is always looking at opportunities for our National Womens team. While there is nothing scheduled in the next few months we are continuing to work with a number of other Unions for matches in the future. In terms of 7s our focus is on ensuring we are playing regularly in international competitions. We will be doing everything we can to ensure that our womens side has the opportunity to participate in any future World Series. We are the reigning World Champions our aim will be to claim back-to-back titles next year.

Dale Roberson , Programme Manager for 7ss and Womens Rugby added that all of the ARU's current strategies were linked in increasing participation in both forms of the game. "We have a firm belief that if we can attract more participants to the game through 7s Rugby this will have a flow on effect for the 15-a-side game. This approach is being adopted for both primary and secondary boys and girls and the ARU also provides funding opportunities to state unions for Womens Rugby Programmes which can be fifteen-a-side or 7-a-side.