More than 50 girls aged between 5 and 12 years of age were last Sunday (22 July) introduced to the newest form of NSWRL's Recreational Rugby League, Balmain Tiger Tag, at the picturesque Birchgrove Oval – with numbers expected to swell in the weeks to come.
The introductory clinic was the first of a six-week block dedicated to increasing female participation numbers, with those girls on hand learning and crafting their League Tag skillset.
In line with the growth of the women's game, NSWRL reported a 40 per cent increase on the number of women's teams competing in its competitions across 2017 and 2018, respectively.
But while female participation figures continue to surge, NSWRL's Danielle Kifooti, Club Competitions Coordinator – Eastern District, says it's important that the game doesn't rest on its laurels
"Girls at this age group, a lot of the times, sit and they watch their older brothers play Rugby League and want to be a part of it themselves... this is a great way to continue to engage them at an early age when a lot of them may not have wanted to play the traditional forms of the game," Kifooti tells NSWRL.com.au.
"We thought that there was a big gap in the younger girls' participation – the 'mini-mod' age group – in the inner-west... We thought that this would be a great opportunity to introduce them to Rugby League with a non-contact, all-inclusive version of the game.
"It's great to have the support of the Balmain District (Junior Rugby League), but we've got kids from far and wide... there's obviously a real want and a real desire from the families and from the girls to participate in a program like this."
For more information and to register for Balmain Tiger Tag or other NSWRL Recreational Rugby League programs, click here or email dkifooti@nswrl.com.au.
