Tomorrow on International Women’s Day the Royal Logistics Corps and Royal Artillery will take to the field at Aldershot’s Army Rugby Stadium at 1330hrs on Wednesday, March 8th, with just 80 minutes to decide who will be the champion team for 2022/23.
In reaching the final, both the RLC and Gunners are matching the achievements of their male counterparts, and playing in the final is just reward for their dominance of the Women’s League over the last few months.
The Gunners had three bonus point wins from their four matches, but it is the RLC who head to Army Rugby’s HQ with the form and momentum behind them, courtesy of four wins from four, three of them coming with four or more tries.
For Royal Artillery Director of Rugby, Maj Stuart Bradley, having the Corps’ women’s team reach the final is a reflection of root-and-branch work done to put the Gunners back on top of Army Rugby.
“We restructured the committee and support staff to ensure success both on and off the field,” he says. “It has led to the growth of five teams: 1st, Ladies, Sevens, Academy, and Masters, with three of these sides successfully reaching finals day.”
For RLC Head Coach, SSgt Keith Bird, who describes the ARU’s decision to include the Women’s final as part of the overall occasion as “massive”, Wednesday’s game marks the latest stage in the development of his team and women’s rugby in the RLC as a whole.
“This year has really seen a marked improvement on girls playing,” he says. “We’ve got roughly 60 girls on our WhatsApp group and it’s really taken off. What’s stood out for me is the number of new players who have never touched a ball in their life and have just raw talent. It’s really good to see these new players.
“When we went to Wales for pre-season training we said that there would be a structured process from Monday to Wednesday and that we would do it every time. Starting with ball skills and handling, and moving onto tackling, rucking, and then building the game plan.
“The players have then built by themselves. You have strong players who have the experience with clubs or with the Army and they add all that value in with the players who have never played before. The main thing is to have players who get on together, regardless of whether they’re on the field or off the field.
“I’m so grateful to have had a group of players whose work ethic has been second to none. They are so keen and eager to learn and don’t have a chip on their shoulder when we go right back to basics. That incorporates everybody.
“There are no cliques either. Later on, when we finish the session, the more experienced players then work with the less experienced players, taking it on themselves to develop the team.
“It’s built a family and the players keep wanting to come back.”
The pre-season trip to Wales was more than just about on-field work; it was also an opportunity to sow the seeds of positive thinking for the whole campaign, according to SSgt Bird.
“When we started off I put a little dream in their heads by saying that there’s no team in the Army better than us,” he says. “When we got the first win away in Wales during pre-season it was a boost for them and they wanted more of it, they enjoyed it. Then it happened again, and then we’ve gone undefeated.
“Their ability within a game to change and adapt to who we’re playing is second to none. They recognise strengths and weaknesses that I don’t have to say anything to them.
“That’s come from how we said we were going to play and what we were going to do during the season, and then creating a base layer. Then the girls add their own flair and passion, and they have so much to offer. They listen to each other on the field.
“They know that there is a base structure and when all else fails lean back on that. Until then, play your game and go wild, and they absolutely nail it.”
Wednesday’s game, which SSgt Bird is expecting to be a physical contest, is a clearly significant milestone for women’s rugby within the Army.
While he acknowledges this, the RLC boss also says that there are still areas in which women’s rugby lags behind the men, especially in the number of people who volunteer and then commit the time to be a part of the management and logistics groups which enable the players to be able to concentrate on training and playing.
However, he also says that things are going in the right direction under the leadership of Director of Community Rugby, Maj Marc Wilding.
“There is still stuff that needs to be done, and things which need to be fixed and changed,” SSgt Bird observes. “The evidence is there that it’s being worked on, and this season I’ve seen massive changes compared to where we were a few years ago, and Major Wilding has done a fantastic job. I think it’s going to be an exciting future, but there is a bit more to do.”
Wednesday’s final kicks off at 1330hrs on Wednesday, March 8th, in the Army Rugby Stadium. Entry is free and all are welcome.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and featured image – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb
