In recent years, women’s rugby has gained popularity worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. The Bulls Daisies have made history by becoming the first South African union to offer professional contracts to a women’s rugby team.
A Platform for Female Rugby Players
The Bulls Daisies will compete in the domestic Inter-Provincial League (IPL) over the next two seasons, providing a platform for female rugby players to showcase their skills and compete at a professional level. The 35-member squad includes both young and experienced players, with co-captains Lusanda Dumke and Elizabetha Janse van Rensburg leading the team.
Changing Mindset for Success
Hayden Groepes, the head coach of the Bulls Daisies, acknowledges that bringing athletes from amateur to a professional standard comes with changing the mindset of the individual first and foremost. This approach can be attributed to the success of the team so far, as the players have developed not only their physical skills but also their mental strength and confidence.
A New Dawn for Women’s Rugby
As the assistant coach of the Bulls Daisies, Mandisa Williams is optimistic about the future of women’s rugby in South Africa. She is thrilled to mentor the next generation of young professional women in rugby and sees this as a new dawn for women’s rugby, paving the way for future stars in the sport.
Paving the Way for Gender Equality in Rugby
The South African Rugby Union’s commitment to prioritizing the women’s game from a bottom-up approach has paved the way for initiatives like the Bulls Daisies to emerge. This move will encourage other teams to follow in their footsteps and promote gender equality in rugby.
A Diverse Squad
The Bulls Daisies contracted players come from various positions, including lock, prop, wing, flyhalf, outside back, flanker, utility back, hooker, and centre. As the team prepares to perform on the highest stage in the national division and onto the world stage in the near future, it is hoped that this groundbreaking move by the Bulls will create a new era for women’s rugby in South Africa and inspire other teams to follow suit.
