Page 34 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

32 QARANC THE GAZETTE
AMS Women’s Rugby
The main driving force of the AMS (W) Rugby Football Club (RFC) is to provide an opportunity for all players to develop through the AMS RFC framework and where appropriate represent the AMS in the Inter-Corps competitions. We pride ourselves in providing a family orientated, friendly environment to ensure our players and coaching staff enjoy what they are doing and continue to return to represent the four corps of the Army Medical Services.
Personalities
Director of Rugby – Warrant Officer 1 Lee Richens QARANC (directoramswrugby@gmail.com)
Corps Secretary – Sergeant Zoe Iske QARANC (secretaryamswrugby@ gmail.com)
Head Coach – Sergeant Colin Lowe RAMC (headcoachamswrugby@gmail. com)
Coach – Warrant Officer 1 Paul Willison RAMC
Coach – Sergeant Craig Hutchinson QARANC
The Zero to Hero Training Camp is the main recruiting and training event that the AMS (W) RFC conducts. The week-long training camp is open to all AMS female personnel, and the aim is to take complete novices to a level where they can compete in the Inter-Corps Championships. The AMS (W) coaching team, along with guest coaches, are there to give expert coaching advice to all players new and old. This proved a huge success in 2017 with over 35 women attending, many of whom returned to represent their Corps in the Inter-Corps Championship Season. From the Zero to Hero Training Camp we have also had players selected for the Army Rugby Union Development Squad which is testament to its success. The next camp is scheduled for 4-8 June 2018.
Looking forward to 2019 Canada Tour
The AMS (W) RFC will be touring Toronto, Canada in 2019 (29 June – 14 July). The AMS will take a playing squad of 27 personnel, and with a packed itinerary of training, social events and three highly competitive games it is set to be a fantastic tour. Players representing the AMS (W) in the 2018/19 season will be selected to travel with the squad; therefore, as a newcomer, you could find yourself on an International Rugby Tour sooner than you think!
The Harriet Cup is a Women’s Rugby Sevens Inter-AMS Competition and is usually played in the spring. The inaugural Harriet Cup, in 2017, was very successful with four teams entering and DMG (SE) taking the cup home as the competition winners.
This year’s Harriet Cup saw an increase in attendance with a number of units sending down teams and individuals to play. The competition was played with teams from DMG(SE), 5 Med, 3 Med, 1 Med and 16 Med Regt, not forgetting individuals who had travelled from other AMS units and joined the aforementioned teams in support. With over 40 female players
in attendance, the future of the Harriet Cup Competition looks promising. The gauntlet has most certainly been laid down by DMG(SE) who retained the title for 2018.
As members of the British Army we enjoy the opportunities that sport and adventurous training give us as part of ‘the offer’. Therefore, we all have a part to play in ensuring our soldiers are given every opportunity to take part, thus increasing the chances of retention.
The AMS (W) RFC is always looking for players of all abilities, and with some exciting opportunities coming up you most definitely have to be in it to win it!
In 2018 we have the Uden XVs competition in Holland and the start of the Corps Championships to look forward to, and in 2019 an international rugby tour to Canada.
If you are interested in playing a new sport or getting back into rugby, then please get in touch with the Corps Secretary (Sergeant Iske) secretaryamswrugby@gmail.com
Warrant Officer 1 Lee Richens, Director of Rugby
AMS (W) RFC in action
The Harriet Cup Inter-AMS competition