A new and exciting tournament will join Illawarra Rugby's sevens schedule over the summer, with the introduction of a Shoalhaven women's competition.
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It proves to be a landmark moment for both the Rugby Park-based club and Illawarra competition, ahead of the inaugural 15-a-side women's competition in 2022.
"Women's rugby is flourishing worldwide but we have been unable to gain traction in forming a Shoalhaven women's rugby side," Shoalhaven Rugby Club's Paul Connor said.
"Illawarra Rugby is operating a women's competition in 2022 and we saw the Shoalhaven women's sevens tournament as a great way to showcase the region's talented women's players and springboard the sport in our community.
"If you've ever watched a high-level women's sevens game, you will understand the skill set they bring to the game.
"As a traditional rugby club who celebrated 50 years not too long ago, we recognise we can add a new dimension to our future by fielding a women's side, to go along with our junior and senior men.
"The sevens format is being played in schools across the region, so we want to offer a pathway for girls who wish to continue to play our great sport."
While Shoals admit down the line they might introduce a male division to their pre-season tournament, much like the Kiama Sevens and Macarthur 10s, their main focus is to develop the women's code.
"Our men's sevens side is the most successful regional team in NSW and we will participate in various tournaments in 2022," Connor said.
"Down the line, we'd love to see our team play at home in a sevens tournament but right now, we believe it's vitally important to develop our women's program.
"We'd love our women's side to be as dominant as our men."
There is already plenty of interest in the January 15 tournament too, with 20 teams already nominating.
"We will have teams from all corners of NSW descending on the Shoalhaven in January, including sides from Narromine, Jindabyne, Coffs Harbour, ACT, Sydney and the armed forces," Connor said.
"We will have three fields operating and as all sevens tournaments do these days, music will be pumping with special guest star DJ Dunbot dropping the beats.
"With COVID largely stopping seven tournaments over the past two years, all these women's teams are super keen to lace up the boots, play some rugby and lay foundations for a successful tournament for seasons to come."
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