Tender Strength – 2011
Jozef Jakubco
Rugby is an interesting phenomenon in Slovakia. Despite adverse conditions, eight male teams have been formed in the last decade. But even more remarkable is the fact, that in a country where rugby is known more or less only from television, a female team has been established as well.
Their effort culminated in September 2010 when mostly wives and girlfriends of the male team players founded a female club, called 1st RC Slovan Bratislava. Today is the team composition really interesting. Among the 1st RC Slovan Bratislava players are women who are on a maternity leave, students of different universities, but also, for example, a policewoman. Recently, a lecturer from USA joined in, who came to Slovakia to teach English.
It has not been even 6 months since the club was formed and 1st RC Slovan Bratislava was playing its historical first games with foreign teams. In September they joined a regular competition in Austrian league and in spring 2012 they will compete in a group B of European Championships.
The main aim of 1st RC Slovan Bratislava team is to expand the membership base, in order to create a Slovak competition.
On 9 October 2009, the IOC voted to include rugby sevens on the program for the 2016 Olympic Game in Brazil. So maybe these women will be able to get through the qualification and taste the real big event.
WORK IN PROGRESS
