The next generation of young rugby players moving forward
Bruff player Kate said she hopes to play for Munster one day
- Published
When Ireland take to the pitch for their final World Cup Pool game on Sunday it won't just be fans in the stands that are cheering them on, the women's team have inspired a new generation of players across the country.
For 16-year-old Bethany from Armagh RFC, the sport was an instant fit.
"I love the tackles, the competitiveness and atmosphere - even getting covered in mud," she said.
"I've made great friendships too. We're more than just a team, we're playing as friends and we can have a good time even if we don't win."
Rugby, she says, has built her confidence, communication, and sense of commitment.
"You need to show dedication and commitment as well, they're key because if you don't show up and put in the work then you won't exceed in the sport.
"It keeps me motivated to see the players play my position, and gives me tips and skills that I can put into my matches to help me excel."
Bethany is part of a new generation of female players who have grown up with the sport widely accessible to them, but that wasn't always the case.
Bethany says playing rugby has built her confidence
In the 2024/25 season, the girls' youth game in Ulster saw a 16% increase in the number of games played across all age groups, with 899 youth players taking part.
Last season also saw the introduction of an U12 age bracket, making rugby accessible to secondary school aged pupils, with 20 new schools introducing the game and a total of 51 schools now engaging in both contact and non-contact formats of the sport.
In August 2024, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced it would be awarding 37 central contracts across the Women's High Performance Programme for the first time.
Aoibhinn is now considering a career as a rugby player
Bethany's teammate Aoibhinn has played for Ulster since October 2024 and was picked to captain the squad last season.
She told BBC News NI that it has been "amazing to be coached by some of the best coaches in Ulster".
Adding that the experience has encouraged her to consider a career as a professional athlete.
"It was good – intense, but it really improved my game and being in that kind of environment made me realise just how much I really do want to go on and try make a career out of rugby."
Women's rugby 'motivating' young players
15-year-old Eva is in her third season with Armagh RFC said watching the Women's Rugby World Cup has been "incredibly motivating".
"It makes me feel like that could be me one day."
On Sunday, Ireland will play their third pool game in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup and players like Bethany, Eva and Aoibhinn will have a chance to see women who started out at grassroots clubs like theirs play on the world stage.
Eva says she's inspired watching women play rugby at the World Cup
In August, Bruff RFC made the five-hour bus journey to Ballymoney from Limerick to compete against the girls U16 team.
Fourteen-year-old Olivia has been playing with Bruff for two years and said it's more like a family than a team.
"Everyone's always so welcoming," she said. "I've always been encouraged to keep going and get better at what I'm doing."
'I love being part of a team'
The sentiment is echoed by teammate Kate who said training helps her relax.
"I play rugby because I love being part of a team and being able to rely on the girls," she said.
"I hope that I get further, but if I don't I'm happy with my team anyway."
Scrum-half Olivia, 15, said: "I enjoy matches with all my friends, they're more like family to me.
"The support and encouragement from the club is really great - today I got voted captain for the season.
"I was delighted with myself, it was unreal. I do have aspirations to go for Munster and hopefully Irish trials one day."
Ballymoney U16 girls played Bruff in a pre-season friendly
Bruff RFC has built their women and girls section from scratch over the past few years but now boasts more than 250 members across all age ranges.
Under 16s coach Chris Culhane said the increased interest in the Ireland women's team mean players like his are seeing "strong role models" in the Irish rugby team on their social media feeds.
"They're now getting reels and TikTok and Instagrams of female rugby players - of young, athletic women - out there doing their thing and getting as much support as they do in the men's game, which is really important."
He said it "absolutely" has the potential to be a gamechanger for women in rugby.
"It keeps them active, it builds their confidence and it gives them a real sense of belonging at a stage in their lives when social pressures can push them away from sport," he continued.
"At this critical age, especially young women in sport, the teenage years are the biggest drop-off point for any girl in sport.
"If we can keep young women in sport, and in rugby in particular, it's a win-win all around."