Girls line out for calendar to ‘increase exposure’

WHILE the rest of the country is buttoning up against the onset of winter, a group of female players in Leinster are taking off their clothes.

Before you rush to the phone to ring the gardaí warning of a public order violation read on. The ladies in question were doing so for charity as they launched their second calendar which as the pictures above illustrates, leaves plenty to the imagination.

Explained Development officer Caitríona Bergin of their revealing project. “All of the women featured in this calendar are currently playing club rugby in Leinster.

“We would like to sincerely thank them and those that unfortunately did not make it into the calendar for literally, putting their bodies on the line for this project.

“We had so many shots this year that we simply couldn’t fit them all in. These girls are all too aware that there is little coverage of the women’s game, so they were more than happy to get involved to “increase exposure,” so to speak!

“We are also looking to help others in our effort to raise awareness and a little money, we are offering the calendar to rugby clubs at half price (€7.50). They will be allowed to sell the calendar at whatever price they feel suitable or auction them off to raise funds for their clubs.

“The calendar will also be on sale in the Leinster Rugby Store in Donnybrook, online at www.leinsterrugbystore.ie and through Elvery’s Stores from Friday.

“It’s a steal at only €15. We did it last year and it worked really well as we raised about 8,000 for the clubs and 20,000 for ourselves. It is a good way to get clubs to fund-raise for themselves away from the old tried and tested methods.”

The plan of the calendar was threefold — to raise awareness of women’s rugby, to banish misconceptions about women’s rugby players and to raise money for the sport.

She continued: “The turnout was great. Last year the girls were a bit hesitant as they did not know what to expect. This year we had about 15 girls coming out to pose which was great.

“But players didn’t have to have their face or name displayed so that put them at ease.”

And was Bergin amongst them?

“Yes. I am December. I couldn’t expect the girls to do it without doing it myself. And I’m glad of the idea. It is a good experience, for a good cause, and as my mother said at least I will have something to prove when I am old and grey that I used to look like that!”

The monetary rewards aside, Bergin is adamant that the game is reaping the benefits of the calendar.

“Definitely. It is surprising to think that some people didn’t know that women played rugby until they heard about this calendar. Guys might joke ‘I should definitely go if they look like that’ but if that gets people to come to the games then well and good.”

But just who are buying the calendars? Bergin recalls the very first sale last year.

“We were selling the calendars outside of the Autumn international last year against Australia and the very first person that one was a woman from Munster who said: ‘I will give it to my sons as a Christmas present!’”

If clubs would like to avail of this offer they can contact Caitríona Bergin at [e-mail]