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Women in Rugby News

Creating opportunities: women’s rugby development in the Cayman Islands

by Amy Goulding | Nov 26, 2021

It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby. And, one of the leading drivers of the development of the game for women in the regionis the Cayman Islands. As the newly appointed full-time female Cayman Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Manager, Mercedes Foy is tasked with the...

EMILIE BYDWELL SELECTED AS HEAD COACH OF USA WOMEN’S SEVENS NATIONAL TEAM

by ranMedia | Nov 23, 2021

USA Rugby is proud to announce that Emilie Bydwell has been selected as Head Coach of the USA Women’s Sevens National Team, in a unanimous decision by a five-person selection panel. “It is the honor of my career to be selected for this position,” said Bydwell, “I have...

Women in Leadership Directive Profile: Shanique Smith, Jamaica

by Lauren Rothwell | Nov 22, 2021

Shanique Smith, affectionately known as “NayNay,” embodies leadership in every sense of the word. She has used her athletics to fuel her motivation and to motivate those around her, particularly the neighborhood youth that she empowers, mentors, and coaches. Taking on...

RAN Women in Leadership Directive (WiLD)

In March 2018 Rugby Americas North awarded three World Rugby Leadership Development scholarships to women in the RAN region. The scholarships are a part of World Rugby’s Leadership Development program which was launched in 2018 to develop and support the next generation of female leaders. World Rugby provided funds for two recipients in 2018, with Rugby Americas North taking the added step to fund one additional scholarship. Araba ‘Roo’ Chintoh (CAN), Jillion Potter (USA) and Maria Thomas (TTO) received funding for their proposals in the inaugural year.

2018-19 RAN World Rugby Leadership Development Scholarship Recipients

2018-19 RAN WiLD Leadership Group

This past August the recipients were joined by Martha Daines (USA), Tamara Dixon (JAM), Liz Ferguson (CAN), Cristina Flores (MEX), and Meg Howat (CAN) ahead of the Rugby Americas North EGM. During a productive 1-day workshop the group saw a need for additional structure and recognized the desire to create a broader impact. The Women in Leadership Directive (WiLD) was born and the following scops was set forth:

MISSION:

To be an inclusive resource to support and advocate for girls and women in rugby
To work to raise the standard of resources, education, governance, and competitions for girls and women in rugby
To achieve the vision of women in RAN making an impact in all aspects of the global game of rugby

VISION:

Women in RAN making an impact in all aspects of the global game.

GOALS:

Women fill key leadership roles in GOVERNANCE, ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL and COMMERCIAL positions in RAN
Women are TECHNICAL EXPERTS of the women’s game.
A sustainable community for MENTORSHIP, SUPPORT, NETWORKING and ADVOCACY in the game for women and girls.

YEAR 1 TARGETS:

SHARE initiatives, GATHER information, TARGET potential leaders at RAN 7s, Canadian and USA University Championships.
Caribbean & Mexico PARTNERSHIP EXCHANGE with USA & Canadian Universities.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT for developing leaders rugby-focused LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Develop VIDEO ANALYSIS SKILLS through a WORKSHOP with an elite analyst.

YEAR 1 LONGITUDINAL TARGETS:

Build and sustain Communities of Conversation (Webinar, FaceBook/WhatsApp, or Google Communities group).
Ensure that members have suitable harassment policies and procedures.
Address unconscious bias and build inclusive board cultures with RAN members through education and guidance.
Invite leading women in specific areas to be involved in Communities of Conversation and as mentors.

SHORT TERM GOALS

Establish partnership network between USA and Canada University teams and targeted Caribbean countries, with funding for a couple of exchanges.
Meet with Canadian University Championship teams to share and gather information about mentoring opportunities and pathways in the game.
Develop video analysis skills through a workshop with an elite analyst.
Build and sustain Communities of Conversation (Webinar, FaceBook/WhatsApp, or Google Communities group).
Invite leading women in specific areas to be involved in the Communities of Conversation and as mentors.
Arrange leadership interviews with governance or executive level person in suitable organizations. Share reflections of the experience.
Ensure that members have suitable harassment policies and procedures.
Address unconscious bias and build inclusive board cultures with RAN members through education and guidance.

WiLD is comprised of women representing all of the regions of RAN and dedicated to organic and reciprocal examples of positive and accurate representation.