Women wanted for full contact rugby

Girls who think they are scrumthing special are being asked to sign up for Bermuda’s women’s contact rugby team.

The squad has been benched for the last year due to a fall in player numbers — but the existing members are keen to revive the sport on the island.

Bermuda’s girls have competed overseas in international tournaments and friendlies and teams from abroad have regularly travelled here to play.

Members say the sport is a great way to get fit, make new friends and travel.

Bermuda’s women’s squad competed in the Caribbean VIIs tournament in 2008 and has toured to cities such as Las Vegas to take part in the Midnight VIIs.

In August, two members of the team — Anna Knapman-Scott and Melissa DaPonte — played on the Caribbean Select XVs team in the Bahamas.

There are currently four women’s touch rugby teams on the island but touch is a non-contact, version of the hugely popular sport.

All girls currently playing touch are encouraged to sign up for the traditional, contact game and give it a try.

You do not need to be Bermudian to join the squad or even have played rugby before — all the team wants is bags of enthusiasm.

Anna Knapman-Scott, Bermuda women’s team player and committee member, said: “A group of us decided that it was a shame that the programme had fallen out of practice and decided to revive it.

“Rugby is well subscribed throughout the Caribbean and is big in the U.S. and Canada, so there are lots of opportunities available.

“Women’s touch rugby allows for six-a-side, which really limits the amount of play time people can get, whereas a full contact team can field 15, which allows more people the chance to play.

“Anybody that is interested is welcome. Bermudians and non-Bermudians are both welcome and you do not have to have any experience — we just ask that you are willing to train.”