An all-girls grade for youngsters is being proposed for junior rugby this year in Dunedin to enable them to to test their abilities against those of the same sex.
Southern regional women’s rugby development co-ordinator Warren Kearney said many girls were playing the game at rippa level either on Saturdays in winter or at the Edgar Centre in summer.
But on Saturdays, once they reached under-8s, the girls had to play tackle and many were opting out as they did not want to play against boys.
"What we are offering is the chance for girls to have a go at tackle against other girls. Those at intermediate age have the chance to play in their tournament and there is a high school grade but there is nothing like this at the moment," Kearney said.
Girls who wanted to could still play in the established grades with boys.
About half a dozen clubs had indicated they would be interested in having all-girls teams and there would probably be a programme of from six to eight weeks of games in term two, to be played on Saturday mornings.
He said the first couple of weeks would probably have a programme of skills and drills to get the girls up to speed.
The game wanted to offer opportunities for all girls, he said.
Otago Cricket has started a girls smash grade to give youngsters a chance to try out the game. It was supposed to start last Monday but was rained out.
Meanwhile, those women aspiring to head to the Olympics in sevens will have a chance to show their wares later this month.
New Zealand Rugby has set up a second Go for Gold trial around the country to find hidden talents for the national sevens squad.
The programme started yesterday in Tauranga and will cover the country over the next two weeks.
It is a trial for those who wish to have a go at playing sevens to a high level. Players do not have to have a background in rugby; they just need to be committed, athletic and have a strong work ethic.
Sevens star Portia Woodman was discovered at this camp when it was first staged a few years ago..
There will be a camp in Invercargill at Rugby Park on February 22 and two at Logan Park in Dunedin on February 25, one from 10 to noon and the other at 1-3pm.