Youth Girls

Our girls’ program has been steadily on the rise for the last 3 years and has been the cornerstone of our youth program. Our girls program runs in tandem the HKRU youth girl’s program. Across all age groups our girls spend the first 3 months of the season taking part in the Girls Youth Development program run by HKRU. This is then followed by National Age Grade trials. However, despite this busy period we always make sure the girls train together away from HKRU programs so that they get a sense of belonging and bond well as a club team. Every year we have a significant number of girls have been selected for the National Age Grade program.

U14

Our girls are introduced to the basic concepts of youth rugby. They are also introduced to basic tactical play and understanding of positions, pitch zones and set piece concepts. During this time, the girls can explore different positions within their units allowing them to finally settle in a position they can play and contribute the most to the team. This a steep learning period for our young athletes but we have great coaches who will guide them through the journey

U16

Our girls begin to understand and apply position-specific skills, decision-making within pitch zones and get a progression on basic set piece scenarios. Players are challenged to think and solve problems under pressure. Coaching and games are modified to allow differential learning. This age groups allows for mental development through problem-solving and decision-making games. This age group is the crucial steppingstone to senior rugby. Players develop form U14 learning basic concepts, to young players adapting to skills and mindset to progressively better players and athlete. Our U16 age groups always produce competitive players, who enjoy playing rugby.

U19

At this stage girls train in line with HKRU senior women’s standards. The DB program at this stage is challenging but rewarding to players. Players are developed to be exemplary on and off the field. The girls are developed to play the game tactically whilst using decision-making as a key factor during the game. The U19 girls are also taught to be role models to the younger age groups. Last year every U19 player was selected for the U19 NAG girls’ squad, whilst 2 players were selected for HK national 7s team. The U19 program, combined with the U16 and U14 programs, creates a pathway for any girls to graduate from minis to youth,. This enables them to play senior women’s rugby in the HK premiership, maybe apply for rugby scholarships at university, an opportunity to trial for HK women’s national teams and best of all, to be a great ambassador for DB Pirates girls rugby.