U16 League Champions!

And that is a wrap on the 2025 U16 East/West Regional League. Thank you to each of our opponents for excellent matches across the board.

Our League Champion Under 16s

We are extremely proud of all our Under 16 players, who won their league undefeated. It has been a pleasure to see girls step into their Under 16 careers, a proper jump in complexity from Under 14, and start to work for each other as a team. There has been progress from every single one of them, from KL, who had not played rugby before this season, and now smiles her way through her matches, to IR, already with a taste of international representation, overcoming injury and improving her game.

The teamwork and leadership shown is a joy to watch. We move on to our National Quaich fixtures with confidence.

What is more worrying is the difficulties faced by the girls' game across the country. To be fair, these are difficulties confronting the men's, women's and boys' games too. Low player numbers, a lack of support for composite teams when and where they are necessary, and some ill-judged mismatches in many competitions make it hard for players and staff alike. 3 of our 5 games were demoted to development matches, due to low numbers from our opposition. These development matches were also well played, though I am sure all would have preferred larger team games.

We were very close to that ourselves in our match against Ayrshire/Kilmarnock at Cumnock, and if we had had a single injury we would have forfeited the game.

Low numbers makes it hard for all - the coaches struggling to find enough players or coach techniques at training, the dedicated few who just want a game, the ambitious players needing rapid development wondering whether they should switch clubs to find it, and the clubs and officials, dealing with late cancellations or rearrangements.

Some of our coaches are meeting with the SRU next week to discuss how to develop the women and girls' game. Personally, I am unconvinced that we will find the answers here. Some of the problems and solutions are shared, but the womens' and girls' situations have many differences as well as overlaps. I would love to be wrong.

Meanwhile, I congratulate each of the girls who have played for us this season. I thank our parents and coaches for their dedication. I also congratulate and thank our opposition players and coaches, our clubs and match officials. And thank you for reading.