In anticipation of International Women in Sport Day on 24 January, Touch Luxembourg is proudly highlighting the fact that over 40% of its licensed players are women, challenging the misconception of rugby as a male-dominated sport.

While rugby is often associated with its more physically demanding codes of League and Union, Touch Rugby provides a less contact-intensive alternative, making the sport accessible to individuals of all ages and genders. This inclusive approach has seen significant growth in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and England, with over 700,000 players in Australia and 100,000 in the UK.

Touch Luxembourg, particularly through its main club RCL Lightning, has concentrated on nurturing junior talent, boasting over 40 U16 touch players in the RCL Ecole, with more than 27 being girls. This critical mass of female players has allowed older juniors to gain competitive experience in the Belgium National Mixed League. The ultimate goal is to have a junior national team competing internationally, leading to women and mixed teams participating in global competitions.

Despite the prevailing biases in the Luxembourg sporting community, Touch Rugby is making strides in breaking gender stereotypes. The success of female players is contributing to the growth of women's participation in the sport. RCL Lightning Club, with just over 25% female athletes, is testament to the positive impact of this approach. Terres Rouges Touch club in Dudelange is also experiencing a surge in female participation, creating a familial atmosphere as partners, mothers, and daughters join together to play.

Nick Frank, president of Touch Luxembourg, attributes this success to the hard work of club coaches at RCL and Terres Rouges in creating a safe and positive environment where female players of all ages can compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts.

For those interested in experiencing Touch Rugby firsthand, RCL Lightning is hosting a ladies' night on 23 January at 7.30pm at the Boy Konen sports ground in Cessange. Prospective players can reach out to Rugby Club de Luxembourg at info@rcl.lu or Terres Rouges in Dudelange at info@rctr.lu.

Alternatively, stay updated on Luxembourg Touch activities by visiting their Facebook page or their website.

Join the movement in breaking stereotypes and embracing the diversity in rugby!

RTL

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