Girl power on the rise at Bruff RFC

THE BRUFF RFC Senior Women's side are enjoying success both on and off the field in recent times. Earlier this month the Limerick side made history by becoming Munster Division Two Cup Champions, defeating Clonakilty on a score line of 22-15. 

Bruff faced a monumental challenge having lost heavily to the Cork outfit only weeks prior and Bruff Senior Women's team player and club PRO Anna Leonard admitted it was a 'happy surprise' that they were able to get over the line. 

READ MORE: One Munster player selected on British and Irish Lions squad 

"It was a fantastic game. There was nothing in it, we'd score a try and then they'd score a try and that pattern continued throughout but fortunately we managed to keep the lead as the game wore on. There was only a try in it at the end and that wasn't good for the heart rate I can tell you", she said. 

Getting over the line in the final meant just as much on the pitch as it did off it. As is the case with any club, Bruff rely on the help of club volunteers and sadly Bruff lost a founding member and stalwart in Joe Kelly last year. Anna says winning the final was their way of paying homage to a club legend with his one year anniversary only around the corner. 

"It was for the people who have tried so hard over the years to get a women's team up and running. Heidi van Schayk and Joe Kelly are two people who invested a lot into the women's team so to get to our first final and do it for Joe was just fabulous. 

"Heidi as well is just phenomenal. She's over a lot of the under-age set up, she's nearly 60 and she's still involved in the senior women's team training. She started us off a few years ago and it's for people like that you are delighted for because it means their efforts are being rewarded", she said. 

Anna is hopeful that their latest achievement can pave the way for the younger players in the club. 

"We've had an underage set up for a couple of years and we've never been able to field a women's team so when a lot of these girls turn 18 they have to leave and go to other clubs.

"It's great for them to see that there has been a bit of success and that there is a platform now and please god I think we're going to be promoted to division one which is just fantastic. It's all about showing the younger girls that there is a platform there and that there is something worth playing for", she said.

The club are also putting the finishing touches on the its first ever all female dressing room. Work began on the dressing room just over a year ago. Anna and those involved in the club will be delighted to see it complete, hopefully in the next few weeks. 

"The electrics are starting now and the last few finishing touches are being done up so hopefully within the next few weeks it will be fully done and ready to go for next season. 

"I don't think we've come across another all female dressing room so far in all the games we've played so it will be great going forward to have that."

With Barbara O'Brien being announced as club president earlier this month, the first woman to hold the role in the club's 55-year history, and the ever growing presence of women involved in Bruff RFC, Anna admits that there is ongoing joke within the club that 'the women are taking over.'

Anna herself is taking matters into her own hands in trying to spread the word on women's rugby in Limerick. She has applied to be the Limerick Rose in this year's Rose of Tralee. 

"We have done so much in the last two years as a club and I just want to show more women that they can get involved and it's not even about playing, look at the likes of Barbara and the other committee members coming in.

"One of senior players Sinéad has recently qualified as a referee. There's so many other options and opportunities. For me, it's going to be a fantastic experience just being able to promote that." she said.

Anna commends the work of all those involved in Bruff RFC. She likens the atmosphere around the club to that of a family, with everyone looking out for one another. 

"Bruff really is like a family, people really do rally around and support. Players from other clubs can't believe how well treated we are.

"We are treated the exact same as the lads who play AIL and not every club can say that, it's great that everyone is treated the same", Anna concluded.