- First Women’s Development Academy in Wales.
- First Performance Lead in Wales for Women’s rugby.
- Part of our long-term strategy for Women’s rugby in region.
In a first of its kind across regional rugby, a new Women’s Development Academy will operate at Dragons alongside the successful Men’s Development Academy at age grade level.
In a bold move, Dragons have appointed Cerys Hale as Performance Lead for the innovative new programme alongside her playing contracts.
Players picking up a ball at a young age will now know exactly how they can become a Wales international through our regional pathway.
This exciting new launch is just the start of a long-term strategy that will build a successful pathway for young women and girls.
Performance Lead, Cerys Hale, said: “It’s a dream come true for me to be part of shaping the future of Women’s rugby within our region.
“It’s massive to have that pathway open to them and to be able to develop as individuals. Why should somebody who is born in Gwent have less opportunity than someone who is born elsewhere?
“With the incentive of professional contracts at the elite level of the game in Wales, we want them to be able to strive to be in that position in a couple of years."
James Chapron, Rugby General Manager at Dragons, said: “This is just the first part on an exciting long-term project at the region.
“It was important after the recent success of the Under-18 provision for us to start providing the next level of opportunity for young women and girls.
“The launch of the new Women’s Development Academy is part of our long-term strategy being driven by the entire club.”
It was important after the recent success of the Under-18 provision for us to start providing the next level of opportunity for young women and girls...
