Page 174 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Women’s Rugby

By Second Lieutenant Victoria Carbutt

Women’s Rugby is growing at an unprecedented
rate with opportunities to represent the Corps and
play the game being vast and varied.

The Army
Rugby League
squad got
up close and
personal
with the Red
Arrows at RAF
Scampton

Corps representatives following the Army’s victory over the Marine Nationale Francais in Cherbourg.
Elles Wood was awarded her first cap and Maz Claassens was awarded her 25th

Corps Rugby since its introduction to the women’s game. The upcoming

season looks to have some exciting fixtures forecasted
The Corps Women’s Rugby Team have had another for the team, numerous games against challenging
successful season, closing on a high, being crowned international sides should set the side up well for future
victorious in the Corps with a 29-5 win against the success.
Royal Logistic Corps. Being new to Corps Rugby, I found
it to be a refreshing change, a true celebration of the Army Rugby League
game, encouraging all players regardless of ability
to get involved. Corps level Rugby is key for the future Despite having played Rugby Union for 15 years I have
development of the wider game within the military and never turned my hand to Rugby League; that is until this
ensures the pool of players for Army selection remains season. The Army Rugby League team have also had a
vast. successful season with multiple wins against Super League

sides. My first taste of the game was against Leeds Rhinos
Army Rugby Union in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final, although resulting in a
loss for the Army, this game certainly proved our potential
Throughout the last season, the Corps has been well for the future as viable competitors in the Women’s

represented at Army Level, with several players being Challenge Cup. The first ever Women’s Corps Rugby League
awarded their first cap and some having achieved game also took place this summer, the Corps game

their 25th. The calibre of players in the Army Team is seemed an opportunity to encourage and develop players

remarkable, with a vast number playing premiership new and old whilst raising the profile of the women’s
level and multiple having gained international caps. My game.
own personal highlights from this season include playing

against the Barbarians; marking their first ever game Final Thoughts
on English soil, travelling to France to face the Marine
Nationale Francais and most important my first ever Women’s Rugby is growing rapidly in both popularity

Inter Services as a player. Having attended Army v Navy and professionalism. The key message is to get involved,

numerous times as a spectator, it was a dream come true whether it be to improve fitness, make new friends or
to be able to play on the day, in front of impressive crowds simply try something new. Rugby within the military
and with a remarkable atmosphere that is unique to the presents an impressive variety of opportunities. In my
occasion. The Inter Services competition is the pinnacle short eight months, I’ve met the pilots of the Red Arrows,
of the Army Rugby Season with the team having faced had dinner at an Admiral’s house and had a private tour of Army v Navy
some difficult competition in preparation for the Royal Air the Tower of London to name but a few. There is something Winners 2018

Force and Royal Navy fixtures. The Army Women’s Rugby for everyone, and that is just the beginning.
Team remain unbeaten in the Inter Services competition,
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