An Interview with Women's Development Officer, Joy Sparkes

As with every new season, I am currently out and about visiting all clubs in the province who play women's rugby. So far, I have visited 13 clubs and still have a number to go. I believe it is important to start the new season by meeting those involved in the women's game at their club- it allows them to have a chat to me on their own turf and it also allows me to get a picture of how women's rugby operates within their club. I like to meet with the coaches in person, so that they are able to put a face to my name and vice versa. I think it also shows that I am committed to working with them in helping to build on the women's structure at their club. As well as this, I will quite often visit a club when the women's team is training, and sometimes may even take a session or offer some advice.

The women's club scene has just recently begun, with Ulster side, Cooke beating Ballincollig by 45-0 in the first round of AIL Division One. Other teams in Ulster will also be competing in AIL Division 2 and I look forward to following their progress throughout the season.

As part of its coach and player development programme, the Ulster Branch will continue to run its coaching courses from Mini level right up to Level 1 Head Coach. Together with my colleagues, I prepare content for these courses and deliver modules to participants. In addition to this, we run workshops free of charge to coaches involved at all levels of coaching; including women's rugby.

So, it's definitely been a busy start to the new season, but I'm looking forward to the competitions starting up again and to working with clubs and schools as they build on their rugby structures, and hopefully we might even see some new faces to the game.

I think in general, I'm just looking forward to seeing how the new season will pan out for the women's game. This season has seen a change from the Under 18 age grade to Under 19. I am very pleased about this as it will enable coaches to develop players further before they enter the adult game. It also means that players can be retained at youth level and will therefore be better prepared for adult rugby as they will have an extra year of playing experience and skills.

I am confident that the introduction of Under 19 age grade will strengthen the future of the adult game and help to create a bigger pool of players taking part at this level.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Ulster teams competing in the AIL League the very best of luck, and I hope this season is an enjoyable and memorable one for all involved.