A successful World Cup for Wales in New Zealand would see the ‘floodgates’ further opened, and the women and girls’ game ‘explode’ in Wales - that’s according to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Female Age Grade Lead, Liza Burgess.
Burgess is a former Welsh international, who in 2018 was inducted to the World Rugby Hall of Fame. In a career spanning three decades, she participated in the Wales Women's first-ever international in 1987, captaining her country 62 times, playing in four World Cups and coaching in two more.
The former London-based teacher has seen the evolution, increase in interest, and participation in women’s and girls’ rugby in Wales over the years – with National Lottery funding distributed via Sport Wales playing a key role in growth.
And with the Women’s Rugby World Cup currently taking place in New Zealand – Burgess has opted to celebrate the extraordinary impact of the £30 million plus a week raised by The National Lottery’ players for good causes has had on the development of women and girls’ rugby in Wales over the years - from grassroots to elite.
“The growth now is unbelievable,” said Burgess, reflecting on a momentous year which saw the WRU award 31 female players in Wales with professional contracts for the first time.
“The floodgates are starting to push wide. And there are more and more opportunities, even commercially as well,” she says.
“We want to match what the men get and it's great to see how it's evolving.
“We still have a long way to go but, in terms of how fast it's progressing, and in terms of the amount of coverage we are seeing, it will give encouragement for these young girls to pick up the ball and play the game, it is huge.
“There are some fantastic role models out there, in terms of players but also the referees.
“National Lottery funding is multifaceted, starting with facilities and that whole support for the athlete. At community level it’s about the facilities because, being able to provide proper indoor training facilities for athletes is hugely expensive.
“The National Lottery helps support that. Then in terms of elite, you look more at the support to the athletes, the teams need in terms of science and medicine, strength and conditioning, medical support.
“All that support comes with the athlete, with the package to get them to that elite level. From that comes facilities to recover with swimming pools, athletes need to recover, and they are funded by The National Lottery. It’s all those things that you don't necessarily think about.”
