A strengthening լе women's rugby scene at լе has led to one of the season's most convincing wins yet – a 53-5 win over their arch rivals West's Bulldogs.
women’s team captain Melanie Kawa said play had improved dramatically over recent weeks, and that women’s rugby was again on the rise at լе.
“There’s been a change of attitude and a lot of structure added to our game,” Kawa said.
The team’s win against West’s Bulldogs cemented their progress, proving they could take take and 8-tries to-1 advantage from a bigger and more physical opponent.
“We’re not as big as the other teams, but we’ve been playing some smart rugby which is the way we have always played,” Kawa said.
She said the team had respond well to the recently appointed coaching staff of former լе Rugby Football Club grade and Colts coaches Murray Harley and Jeremy Scott who have a long history of coaching varsity rugby clubs, women’s rugby and re-invigorating under-performing teams.
Harley recently coached the Australian Universities Rugby Union team for a New Zealand tour and the Australian Army Women’s team in the 2012 Australian Services Rugby Championships while Scott coached the successful Queensland women’s team at the 2011 ARU Women’s National Championships.
“They are great coaches. They’ve really helped us turn it around,” Kawa said.
“Before they came, we hadn’t scored a try for over two weeks, in the last two we’ve scored 12.”
In the past, the team had struggle to retain commitment, particularly in the academic season and during holidays. Team captain Trish Brown and Manager Barb Arnts have worked hard to retain a core of players, with a strong core of players and a rotation of students on a six-monthly and yearly basis.
“We tackle the problem every year, but we’re lucky to have a very good core group of players. We’re all close friends,” Kawa said.
“It’s been hard at a club with lots of men’s teams, but we’re proud of what we do and we love being a part of it. We love representing the university,” Kawa said.
The team is currently placed in the middle of the season’s score card and is looking to overcome a spate of injuries to challenge for a berth September’s finals Brisbane Women’s Rugby division.
The team welcomes new players. Anyone wishing to play women’s rugby for լе is invited to contact the club at 07 3870 2152 or visit the clubrooms at the լе sports grounds.
Media: Josh Dutton, լе Rugby Football Club (rugbypr@uqrugby.com or 0434 982 163)