Decision day for Not-the-National 10s

A long, winding, path that began back in the summer when a surprise omission on the RFUW calendar was spotted at last appears to be reaching a conclusion. The many, many clubs in England and beyond who have expressed an interest in entering will shortly be receiving this letter from Gloucester Girls Rugby Trust (published today on the GGRT website):

Dear Entrants,  

 

Re: Gloucester City 10's ~ 2009

 

We are pleased to annouce that a decision to sanction the event will be made by the RFU Leisure Events Team and RFUW by this Friday.

 

As part of local governments very important healthy living campaign, the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Norman Ravenhill, has sanctioned use of our City Crest in support of this volunteer run local event. The RAF & OPRO awards will be presented by him and a rather famous RAF dignitory.

 

The Everyclick.com mouse has scheduled us in and hopes to come along to share helpful fund-raising ideas with you on how to support your clubs' financial development.  (I hope your raffle tickets have been selling well too!!)

 

We would like to thank you for your impressive patience and words of kind support over the last few months. 

 

We hope to have good news for you on Friday, until then, have a good week.

 

Kind regards

 

Lisa Ruth Holmyard*

Chairperson

Gloucester Girls Rugby Charitable Trust Fund 

*(formerly Walsh)

Assuming RFUW say "yes" this will almost certainly be the biggest girls rugby tournament ever held in in this country - certainly the biggest club tournament. With at least 32 teams sending squads to the weekend we are looking at maybe a sixth of the registered teenage playing population in England, and probably a significantly larger fraction of the active players. 

And it won't be costing Twickenham a penny, not least because of a line up of sponsors that is incredible - lead now by The Royal Air Force, no less, as well as other including mouthguard manufacturer and keen sponsor of many RFUW events, Opro. The event also has the support of the mayor of Gloucester - hence the official title of the "Gloucester City Tens" (but then how could a man named after a famous rugby ground say no?). Has there ever been a women's or girls' club rugby event with a more impressive line-up of supporters?

After a pretty miserable season for clubs with so many big events falling by the wayside due to the weather, ground availability, or other unavoidable events this at last promises to be some good news. So fingers crossed for the right decision on Friday!