Twelve students from Stuartholme, an independent Catholic girls’ school, embarked on a journey to France to compete in the inaugural France Rugby Heritage Cup 2023, held from the 2-7 September 2023.
The event showcased rugby talent and brought together teams from all around the globe.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for twelve Stuartholme students to travel to Pontlevoy in France to compete against 24 international teams, in the week before the Rugby World Cup,” Principal Mr Daniel Crump said.
The spotlight of this event shone brightly on Stuartholme’s Rugby 7s team, which made history by securing a fourth-place finish, marking them as the second female team worldwide in the tournament.
Their impressive journey to the final saw them compete with New Zealand Condor 7s, where they displayed remarkable prowess, finishing the game with a score of 9-4.
The overall France Rugby Heritage Cup rankings were:
1. Madagascar
2. Iona College
3. College Nord (France)
4. Stuartholme School
The journey to the France Rugby Heritage Cup began when Stuartholme’s Rugby 7s program kicked off in 2020. Despite facing initial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program gained momentum in 2022 when the under-13 girls clinched the Catholic Secondary Schoolgirls’ Sports Association (CaSSSA) Rugby 7s title. This achievement paved the way for the school’s collaboration with Iona College as the Australian representatives in France.
In the lead up to the event, the girls focused their training on France and the Heritage Cup tournament at Pontlevoy Abbey. They had the privilege of receiving coaching assistance from Brad Thorn, following his commitments with the Queensland Reds, which added a valuable dimension to their preparations.
The significance of women’s rugby and women’s sports was not lost on spectators and fans during the Heritage Cup. The tournament showcased how gender is becoming increasingly irrelevant in sports, with young boys proudly supporting their female sporting heroes. The success of women’s rugby on the world stage, such as the Aussie Women’s Rugby 7s, illustrates the growing acceptance of female athletes in traditionally male-dominated sports.
Stuartholme’s presence on the world stage at the France Rugby Heritage Cup 2023 is a testament to their commitment to excellence and the bright future ahead for women’s rugby.
