Abstract
Several international rugby unions, including the South African Rugby Union, have adopted the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model, which is based on physiological principles that categorise players into specific stages of development. The original model proposes different age categories for boys and girls within each specific stage of development. This review: (i) discusses the current state of junior female rugby in South Africa; (ii) discusses the evidence for gender-specific differences in the LTAD model; and (iii) recommends a future strategy for LTAD within female rugby in South Africa, considering the current approaches of other international unions.
Highlights
Summary The structure adopted by each international rugby union is unique It is common that U12 girls and younger may participate in mixed-gender rugby
In the majority of the provincial unions, participation structures revolve around the U16 interprovincial tournament organised by SARU
Less than half of the provincial unions (7/15; one union was subdivided; 47%) introduce rugby to young girls and only 20% (3/15; one union was subdivided) of the provincial unions have girls participating across all the junior age categories
Summary
Young girls are introduced to the game at U9 level. They play touch rugby and there are festivals arranged for competition at this level. There are both U12 and U16 structured leagues. At U16 level, girls play 15-a-side rugby. There are currently no structures for junior women’s rugby in this region. There is insufficient participation to put together an U16 provincial team. Even at senior level there is no structured club competition, merely a group of players who practise together
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