PARTICIPATION was the idea behind the formation of the Central West Rugby’s Women’s Summer Sevens, but the new competition has also served as a platform to unearth talent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nine of the 11 clubs which participated in the regular season entered teams into the sevens competition, which features exciting 14 minute games on a Friday night.
Last Friday Bathurst’s Ashwood Park hosted southern pool teams, with the Bulldogs, Orange Emus, Cowra, Orange City and Canowindra outfits in action.
Many of those who impressed in the regular season again sparked plenty of attacking movements. However, there were others new to rugby who made an impact as well.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra’s speed and strong fend saw her run in a host of tries for Emus while league regular Alicia Carr and Lil McIntosh – who has a netball and touch football background – both crossed in Bulldogs’ win over Canowindra.
READ MORE: Summer sevens builds on cup success
READ MORE: CSU wraps up the year with a plate win
Central West chief executive officer Matt Tink was amongst those who took in the action and was pleased with what he saw unfold.
“I think we’ve attracted some athletes, girls who would be good at any sport, and it is pleasing to see a few of them come out of the woodwork and have a crack at rugby,” he said.
“There are a lot of girls from different sporting backgrounds. They will choose whatever sport they choose in the end I guess, but you can see when you throw an athlete out there they make a bit of a difference.
“The clubs have embraced it which has been good, there have generally been supporters at all the grounds and there are a few kids running around as well, so it’s been great … it’s a good little Friday out, it’s better than watching the tele.
“We’ve always said that this is participation, not for sheep stations.”
As Tink indicated, this Friday the competition will stage a finals night at Endeavour Oval in Orange. He hopes it will be a positive and that the sevens will return.
“We’ll do a little bit of a review, we’ll ask the clubs if they’re keen to do it again because we’re very conscious of putting too much on our volunteers,” he said.
