Long neglected and lacking in support at the grassroots level, women’s rugby provides few opportunities for girls in primary and high schools to expose themselves to the rugby experience.
Founder Zoe Naude, a women’s national panel referee and a former WP player, has seen firsthand the many issues and barriers women face when entering the rugby realm. Namely, cultural and socio-economic conditions and of course the recency of women’s rugby all play a role in minimising opportunities.
“We wanted to provide a safe haven for girls to come together, socialise, make friends, and of course to learn the game. And from there they can achieve anything! We provide the tools to allow them to blossom into good rugby players, potentially to achieve higher honors, and to develop into strong, capable women”.
Working with local schools and targeting girls aged 6-18, GPRA will be the only girl’s academy in the Cape Peninsula area. “Our short-term goals are to recruit at least 50 girls in our first year, along with at least 5 female coaches. We absolutely must also accommodate 10 or more girls from underserved areas.”
GPRA was officially launched last week on the grounds of False Bay Rugby Club, and is slowly making waves. With partners like the Players Fund and the Beast Foundation, GPRA hopes to lead the revolution to empower girls’ and women’s rugby in Cape Town.
GPRA invites you to drop in to their practices at any time. Come see for yourself, meet the coaches, and give it a try!
Email: info@girlsrugby.co.za
Girl Power Rugby Academy
Harnessing the power of rugby to develop extraordinary females!
