A man’s world?

IT’S the same every year. The sun beats down on the picturesque resort of Kinsale, a town thronged with beer-swilling rugger jocks and their sirens, in town for the annual end of season sevens jaunt by the sea.

Though the participating teams take it all very seriously, it is primarily a social occasion. The men are clad in rugby jerseys or the alternative rugby uniform of light blue Ralph Lauren shirts and beige chinos, the well-groomed women keep their long shiny hair out of their eyes with ray-ban sunglasses and glide about, bottle of ‘Heino’ in one hand, mobile phone in the other.

Action on the pitch is secondary to the action in the bars and the marquees, the audience are watching but not really taking notice - until the ladies teams come on.

Suddenly, the marquees empty and the pitchside is lined with boys full of beer and cheer, eager to witness the freak show they consider women’s rugby to be.

Ironic cheers ring around the ground, boorish chants are belted out and though the ladies are not taking prisoners on the pitch, they are not taken seriously off it.

For, although it is one of the country’s fastest growing sports, women’s rugby lacks credibility with the vast majority of Irish rugby people. Old fashioned values prevail.

Rugby is perceived as the ultimate male sport, a bruising uncompromising test of manliness, with scars and cauliflower ears proudly compared in the bar after the game.

The woman’s role in this ritual has traditionally been to gasp in horror or clap with pride as she watches her man on the field ... then she might help with the food afterwards.

A lot of women are comfortable with this ‘rugger-hugger’ lifestyle, but there are some who decided they wanted to take part in the game, and not just observe it.

Sarah-Jane Belton and Patrique Kelly are close friends. Belton is studying for her masters in the University of Limerick, Kelly teaches in Rockwell College, they are both 22, both like a bit of craic, and both play international rugby for their country.

Belton, a former soccer goalie, is now using her safe hands as Ireland’s first choice full-back. A secure last line of defence she is also a dangerous attacker and, with 18 caps already under her belt, looks set to be Ireland’s No. 15 for years to come.

Kelly plays in the midfield, mostly at inside centre, and is known for her fearsome tackling ability. After forcing her way onto the Ireland bench in 2001, Kelly has since nailed down her position on the team and like Belton, looks set for a long international career.

So how, and why, did they take up rugby?

“I knew nothing about the game growing up in Wicklow,” recalls Belton, “nothing beyond the shape of the ball”.

“But when I went to UL to study physical education, I got to know some of the lads involved in the rugby and I decided to give it a try. The minute I started I just took to the game, I really loved it.”

Belton was actually the first girl to be accepted into the UL rugby academy and when the university joined with local club Bohemians and a ladies team was set up, Belton switched over from Shannon.

Kelly tells a similar tale, although she was aware of the sport growing up in Tipperary town. “My family were involved with Kilfeacle rugby club and I went to school in Rockwell College, which has a huge rugby tradition, so I was aware of the game.”

Like Belton, Kelly took up the sport in UL and became similarly enamoured with it. She followed Belton into the rugby academy and also left Shannon to join the new UL-Bohemians ladies side.

“It’s a great environment to play rugby in,” says Kelly. “The academy set-up in UL is excellent and it really helps you improve your game and adopt a more professional attitude.”

Apologies for the question, but people will be wondering: Is it illegal to pull hair in the women’s game?

“No,” laughs Belton, “but it doesn’t happen, you just tackle people in the normal way. I mean you never see the Argentinian scrum-half Augustin Pichot getting yanked by his long hair. Although, now that I think about it, we did have a girl pulled back by the pony tail in a recent match but no, it generally doesn’t go on.”

Rather than be put off by the physical nature of the sport both girls seem to relish it.

In fact, Kelly’s play in the centre is characterised by her physicality.

“I love the physical side of the game and I suppose I would be known for my tackling. I used to play outside centre which gives you more space on the ball, but I prefer it inside. You get more ball and there is more to do, be it crashing it up or making first up tackles.”

Belton agrees. “You get used to it. Defence is a big part of the game and if you want to play at the top level you have to be physical.”

THERE is no question that these girls are committed athletes who take their rugby very seriously, so how do they feel about those who regard their sport as something of a joke?

“I think it’s getting better,” says Belton. “People are gradually coming to terms with the fact that women are playing rugby and playing it to a good level. I have to say, in general, people are very supportive.”

Kelly feels that the rugby traditionalists are finding it harder to accept the women’s game.

“Older people might be a bit dismissive or do a double take when they hear you play rugby. It is such a male sport traditionally but you find the younger guys, who appreciate the game and the commitment you make, they respect our involvement.

“The lads in UL are great. We always join in with them for tip rugby on the astro turf and we also socialise together.”

The girls have both referred to the commitment they make for the sport, so given they are amateur athletes, what is a typical training week for an Irish ladies international?

Belton takes up the baton and describes her week. “Well, Mondays start with a weights session at 7.30 in the morning and you would have a training session in the evening. Tuesdays: a sprint session in the evening. Wednesdays: weights in the morning, UL-Bohs in the evening. Thursdays: Academy skill session in the morning, SAQ (Speed-Agility-Quickness) in the evening. We have Fridays off generally and then a game on Sunday.

“Of course, then you also have the international training weekends.”

In addition, the girls, who both have physical education qualifications, are very careful regarding their lifestyles.

“You just look after yourself,” affirms Kelly. “Eat the right foods, drink lots of water, make sure you get enough sleep, it all helps you on match day.”

The Six Nations is just around the corner and Ireland, without ever having won a match in the competition, need to perform this time around.

The tournament has the same format as the men’s version, with Spain filling in for Italy, and just like men’s Six Nations, France and England are the runaway favourites.

“France won it last season but England are probably the favourites,” says Belton.

“They are a semi-pro team, their girls only work two or three days a week. France also have a very good set-up and it’s very hard to compete with these teams.

“When you play the likes of England you look at their player details in the match programme and it’s frightens you how much bigger they are. Their body conditioning is a level above ours and they have an edge, a sharpness on the pitch that comes from always training together,” adds Belton.

“It’s a big step-up,” agrees Kelly, “a bit like the Irish men’s team in the early 1990s, when they were playing against Australia and New Zealand who were essentially professional outfits. It was only when the game went pro that Ireland began to be able to compete on equal terms.”

So what are Ireland’s realistic expectations for this season’s Six Nations?

“We have to target the games against Scotland, Spain and Wales,” says Belton.

“We came very close to beating the Scots last year and really feel we can win this one. We have a good few new faces in the squad this season and they have brought a freshness and a positive attitude. But, we need to become more clinical, to take our chances when we get them, but I am confident we can do well this year, there is a good buzz among the girls.

“Scotland is the first game and we are really going to go for that one.”

It was not until 2000 that the Irish Women’s Rugby Football Union became officially affiliated to the IRFU.

That body has come under vicious fire recently over its handling of the Connacht affair and for providing lavish away trips for their committee members while at the same time bemoaning the state of their finances.

So what support do they provide for the women’s game?

“We would like more recognition,” says Kelly. “We get jerseys and gear but there is no travelling expenses provided or compensation for loss of earnings.

“I am lucky with my employers Rockwell College. They are very understanding because they are steeped in rugby themselves and I suppose they take a certain amount of prestige from having a member of staff on the Irish international side. I am very lucky in that regard. But, as regards the IRFU, there are no perks from being on the women’s side.

“I mean we are representatives for our country but we do not get tickets for home internationals or anything like that. In fact, I remember playing France and after the game the French girls were all taken to the men’s international, best seats in the house, and we ended up watching the game in a pub.”

Belton is slightly more sanguine on the issue of IRFU support for women’s rugby.

“They cover flights and accommodation but it tends to be the cheapest option. I mean, for the Scottish game, we have to travel to Belfast because that is the cheapest flight available, it is not an ideal situation.

“That situation is unlikely to improve in the near future given the union’s current financial difficulties.”

However, Belton knows that to earn greater recognition from the union, and indeed from the rugby public at large, the team needs to make some waves.

“We are all working extremely hard to try and be successful. What we need to do is start producing results on the pitch, that’s how we will earn people’s respect.”

A good note to finish on.

Not only a declaration of intent ahead of a crucial Six Nations campaign but also an admirable mission statement for women’s rugby in Ireland.