Rugby Australia Launches NextGen XVs Pathways Program to Accelerate Female Rugby Talent

Rugby Australia has officially launched its premier NextGen XVs development program, establishing an elite competitive pathway for Under 16 and Under 19 female athletes as the organisation accelerates preparations for the home Rugby World Cup in 2029.

Kicking off at Forshaw Rugby Park in Sylvania Waters, the multi-week initiative integrates regional member unions and Super Rugby clubs to expand female participation and refine high-performance pathways across the country.

The program features two Under 19 representative squads, Green and Gold, alongside a holistic development camp and match series for the Under 16 cohort. Coached by prominent figures including former Wallaroos scrumhalf Iliseva Batibasaga and former Wallaroos captain Shannon Parry, the squads draw elite emerging talent from premier regional bodies such as the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, and Western Force. 

Highlighting the importance of the structured pathway in building a sustainable national talent pool, head of women’s pathways, Lachlan Parkinson, said:  “The Under 19 squads are a combination of players with either Super Rugby Women’s experience, first grade women’s club rugby, the Buildcorp Australian Junior Championships and number of players coming in from the NextGen Sevens series for their first taste of XVs rugby.” 

“The Under 16 squad was selected from the Buildcorp Australian Junior Rugby Championship held on the Sunshine Coast in July.

“The Under 19s have completed a number of two-day preparation camps and will flow into a two-match series, providing important match exposure at an elite level for the players to help support their development as elite rugby players.

“The Under 16s program is about introducing the best young talent in Australia to a high performance environment and giving them the skillsets and grounding to become world class rugby players.

“The talent across the squads is exciting and shows that the future of women’s rugby is in a strong place in Australia as we head towards a home World Cup in 2029,” Parkinson said.

The competitive schedule commences on September 12 with the Under 19 fixture, followed by a double-header at Knox Grammar School on October 3 featuring both Under 16 and Under 19 showcase matches. 

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.