Irish Rugby Offers Female Sports Stars Opportunity To Turn Pro
The Irish Rugby Football Union is challenging all female sports stars, who have dreamt about representing Ireland on the world stage, to find out if they have they have what it takes.
The IRFU has released details of its latest Women’s Sevens Talent Identification Open Days, which will take place at its High Performance base in Dublin City University on the weekend of Saturday, November 1.
The success of previous TID days resulted in 11 girls, with little or no rugby experience, joining the Irish Sevens set-up and becoming full-time athletes as part of the IRFU’s High Performance programme, which competes on an international stage and is seeking qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Challenging girls to see if they have what it takes, Ireland Women’s Sevens head coach Jon Skurr said: “Talent ID days are an fantastic opportunity for sports women who have asked themselves if they have what it takes to represent their country to find out if they can become a full-time professional athlete and compete on an international stage.
“The players we have recruited to date come from various sporting backgrounds with some never even playing rugby before they came to us.
“Therefore, we encourage everyone, irrespective of their sporting history, to challenge themselves and find out just what it takes to be an Irish rugby Sevens international.”
A Sevens player needs to be fast, agile and skilful. They also need to display high levels of fitness and durability in order to be able to play multiple games over two days. It is not necessary for applicants to have had any previous rugby playing experience.
Those interested in attending the Talent Identification Open Days can get more information and sign up at www.irishrugby.ie/womens7s. Closing date for applications is Friday, October 24.