Wildfire calls on Alberton girls to join growing rugby movement

Wildfire Alberton Junior Rugby Girls is inviting girls across Alberton to pick up a rugby ball, try something new and become part of its growing girls’ rugby programme.

The all-girls team, which officially started at Alberton Junior Rugby Club in May, works to create a sustainable pathway for young female players while challenging perceptions about who can play rugby.

The club currently welcomes girls from U11 to U18, whether they have previous rugby experience or have never played the sport before.

“You don’t have to arrive as a rugby player; you just have to arrive willing to learn,” said Wildfire coach Ghita-Brighite van den Berg.

Van den Berg said one of the club’s biggest challenges is getting enough girls through the doors.

“There are still many parents and girls who don’t realise just how many opportunities are available in women’s and girls’ rugby,” she said.

The club also wants to change the perception that rugby is too physical or dangerous for girls.

“We understand that parents worry about their daughters, but we also believe girls deserve the opportunity to discover what they are capable of,” said Van den Berg. “Rugby teaches confidence, discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership qualities that extend far beyond the rugby field.”

A place for every girl

Wildfire believes rugby can accommodate girls with different strengths, abilities and body types.

Whether a player is small, big, tall, short, fast, strong or still learning, the club wants her to feel welcome.
Since launching, Van den Berg has seen the girls’ confidence and passion grow.

“When we started, some of the girls were still finding their feet and getting comfortable with the game. Now, we have girls who genuinely can’t wait to get to practice. We have girls who go home and practise on their own and then arrive at training so excited to show us what they have been working on,” she said.

The club’s long-term vision is to build a clear pathway for girls from a young age and give them opportunities to progress to higher levels of rugby.

“We want girls to know that they don’t have to stop playing because there isn’t a pathway available to them. We want to help create that pathway,” said Van den Berg.

Looking for community support

While Wildfire is focused on growing its player base, the club is also appealing to businesses, organisations and individuals who can help remove some of the practical barriers facing its players.
Transport is currently one of its biggest challenges.

Getting girls to training, matches, tournaments and development opportunities can be difficult, and the club is looking for support towards securing a minibus or suitable commercial vehicle.

“That kind of support wouldn’t simply help us get girls from A to B. It would help us get girls to opportunities,” said Van den Berg.

The club believes community support could play an important role in ensuring that players do not miss development opportunities because of transport difficulties.

The door remains open

Although the main season will eventually come to an end, Wildfire will continue accepting and registering girls for the remainder of the year.

The club wants girls who discover rugby later in the year to know that they have not missed their chance.

“Whether she has played rugby before or has never picked up a rugby ball, we want her to come and give it a try,” said Van den Berg.

Training takes place at Alberton Junior Rugby Club on Mondays and Tuesdays from 18:00 to 19:00.
Parents and players can follow the Wildfire Alberton Junior Rugby Girls Facebook page for updates, training information, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

For more information, contact 064 907 7859 or email wildfiregirlsajrc@gmail.com.

For Wildfire, the vision is about more than building a rugby team. It is about creating opportunities for girls to discover their confidence, develop their skills and find a place within the sport.