This year, the ACT Barbarians became the first all-female U12 squad in the Capital, now they will soon become the first Under 12s squad to play competitive all-female division matches outside of Canberra as they head to Sydney on Friday the 12th of July.
Competing in the Sydney Junior Rugby Union U12 Development Gala in North Narabeen NSW, the squad will play several games over two days in their first competitive outing as a side.
Endorsed by the ACTJRU, the side has come together in a collaborative effort from both players and coaches from the Tuggeranong Vikings juniors and the Uni-Norths Owls juniors.
To help inspire their efforts, the Barbarians attended the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies and University of Canberra Women's Academy on Monday evening. Training alongside the Academy and with a chance to meet their Super Rugby Women's and local female athlete heroes, the Barbarians were certainly in good company for the occasion, getting an early glimpse of their pathway in the future.
Adam Vinning of Tuggeranong Vikings JRU and one of the masterminds behind the effort, alongside Dan Hawcroft of Uni-Norths Owls JRU, said "We've got 12 maybe 13 girls going up (to Sydney), and they're all getting along really well."
"It's pride in giving them the opportunity," said Adam when asked about how he feels about his efforts in getting the side off the ground.
"I think the ability to have them play their own game with their own agenda and skillset in an all-female age group as soon as possible is really empowering. Hopefully they're going to progress through age groups together and be able to keep those friends forever, so by the time they're playing for the Brumbies in Super Rugby Women's they think back to the times they shared in under 12's."
The Brumbies Head of Women's Rugby & Pathways James Erwin said "It was great to see the next generation of Brumbies talent at Academy training, and we look forward to following their progress in Sydney."
"I think it inspired our Academy women also, seeing the growth of the code and more opportunities being given to girls is a real motivator. We just hope we get to see some of the Barbarians names listed as Brumbies capped players some time in the future."
In a quick chat before training at Brumbies HQ, Barbarians player Lilly McCarroll said it was a great opportunity for her side to get up close with current elite female rugby talent.
"It's pretty cool and good to see, seeing girls play rugby and not just boys, it's fun to just watch them train as well."
