The head coach of the England rugby team, John Mitchell, has put forth some intriguing propositions regarding the possible implementation of smaller rugby balls to benefit the women’s game. Mitchell posits that the use of smaller balls could serve as an effective means of drawing more women to the sport, particularly in smaller communities and educational environments.
World Rugby, the governing body of the sport, is presently in the process of evaluating data from a trial involving the utilization of a marginally smaller and lighter ball during the Six Nations Under-18s Women’s Festival and the training sessions of three Celtic Challenge teams. In this trial, the standard size 5 ball, typically used in men’s rugby, was substituted with a size 4.5 ball, which is approximately three percent smaller and four percent lighter.
Mitchell duly acknowledges that while the current standard size ball suits the team well, he recognises the potential advantages of employing smaller balls to entice younger girls to the sport. He posits that the introduction of smaller balls in educational settings may instill greater confidence in girls to engage in rugby, thereby bolstering participation in the women’s game.
England is renowned for its prominence in women’s rugby, having clinched the Women’s Six Nations title for the past five years. Notwithstanding their success, the team remains receptive to the notion of testing out the smaller balls. Zoe Aldcroft, who will be captaining the England side in their forthcoming Six Nations match against Scotland, remarked that while they have encountered few issues with the standard-sized 5 ball, they are open to assessing the performance of the 4.5 ball on the field.
In a striking move, Mitchell has made alterations to the England lineup, with Marlie Packer being excluded from the starting lineup for the first time since assuming the captaincy, and experienced centre Emily Scarratt being left out of the squad for a second consecutive game. Mitchell underscores that the selection of the squad is geared towards the upcoming match against Scotland, and that each player has the potential to exert a significant impact on the game.
It is evident that Mitchell’s recommendations are geared towards elevating the women’s game and attracting more players to the sport. The inclination to contemplate the use of smaller balls reflects an escalating interest in diversifying and broadening rugby as a game for all genders and age groups. This initiative has the potential to create new prospects for women and girls to participate in rugby, potentially leading to the formation of more inclusive and diverse rugby communities.
The potential transformations in the women’s game undeniably warrant attention, and it will be intriguing to witness how the trial data and feedback from players and officials influence the future of women’s rugby.