Girls ready for the challenge

FOR girls on the Gold Coast, Rugby League is no longer ‘just for boys’.

Gold Coast Junior Rugby League is calling all girls on the Gold Coast between ages 14 to 17 years to join the NEW girls open competition that will kick off in May 2012.

Long-time president Peter McGrath says our competition now caters for all age groups both boys and girls. “Having the support base to introduce a girl’s open competition shows the depth Rugby league has on the Gold Coast” he said. “More and more young female players are enjoying the game of Rugby League. Last year we saw three Gold Coast clubs, Nerang, Currumbin & Jimboomba do exceptionally  well in the Ipswich Girls Open competition. Currumbin even took out the title in a spectacular grand finale.”

McGrath said the Gold Coast Junior competition is set to increase to over 5000 members in 2012. “Last year, State wide female participation in rugby league has grown 11% and is expected to increase further in 2012.”

McGrath said 2012 will see many changes. The new junior league website was launched in the New Year. The Junior League is on Facebook and parents and players have been utilising this tool for upcoming events, competition results and news updates.

Coast Junior Rugby League will be hosting ‘Come and Try Days’ for girls interested in playing on Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th March. The girl’s competition is expected to have six teams from the Gold Coast region and is scheduled for kick off in May.

For more information about the girls competition and ‘Come& Try’ days contact Sarah on 5522 7722 or sarah@goldcoastjuniorrugbyleague.com.au

More information: 

Teams

The following clubs have expressed their interest to enter a team in the GCJRL Girls Open competition:

-          Currumbin (team)

-          Nerang (team)

-          Jimboomba (team)

-          Beaudesert (maybe a team)

-          South Tweed Heads (maybe a team)

-          Helensvale (some girls interested)

-          Ormeau (some girls interested)

Age group

The Open Girls competition will be an Under 17 competition and girls must be 17 in the same year, or younger. The minimum age to play in the Open Girls competition is 14 and girls must already be 14 at 1 January 2012 to play in the 2012 season. Generally girls can only play up to 1 year above their age – so 16 or 17 years for under 17s. However, in competitions where the age groups are every second year (15s, 17s) or there are no other age groups below, the governing Local League can apply to the Chairman of the Division Juniors for permission for players to play up 2 years, however GCJRL have already received this approval. 

Competition structure

The girls will play 10 games (games depend on number of teams) in 10 consecutive weeks starting in May. The girls’ finals will be at the same time as the junior final series. 

Rules 

The rules are no different for girls/women. However because some of them may be new to the game, QRL’s recommendation for at least the first year is to play under the National Safeplay Code. This allows them to play the international game but with some modifications for safety.