The appointment of Joe Yap as head coach of the Wallaroos will be an important stage for women's rugby in the lead up to next year's 'Generational Change' World Cup in England, the World Rugby Women's National Team has announced. I believe.
Yap is a former England women's captain who played in three World Cups and has been coaching since retiring in 2009.
In 2019, she was appointed director of rugby for Worcester Warriors, a role she held until the club folded in February last year.
But last month she began her reign as manager of Australia's women's team, the Wallaroos.
World Rugby's Head of Women's Rugby, Sally Horrocks, hopes Yap will inspire a new generation as the global governing body launches the next stage of the Gallagher High Performance Academy. ing. The Gallagher High Performance Academy is a leadership program launched in 2023 with the aim of increasing the number of women's rugby players. Number of women in featured roles.
“I think it's very important, first of all, to see one of the major countries like Australia investing in a full-time role,” Horrocks told AFP in London via video conference call from Los Angeles. Told.
“It's also really encouraging to see a player of Joe's stature and profile move into coaching as a leader.
“I'm really excited and happy that her talent has been recognized. It's important to see female leaders in the game.
“I see it in Joe, and I see it through this program, because when young women, young girls, see women like Joe playing these roles in the game, it’s really inspiring. They can be a part of 'this game is for us (women) and they think it's theirs.' ”
Horrocks added: “When we're talking about coaching women's games, both men and women can be great coaches, but there's also evidence that more female coaches increases access for female athletes… It's really important,” he added.
“The game is young”
With support from global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services provider Gallagher, officials aim to increase the number of participating teams from 12 to 16 at the 2025 World Cup and hire 40% women in the coaching staff. I set a goal.
“We're starting to see the fruits of our labor,” Horrocks said. “(The women’s) game is young.”
The 2022 World Cup, which was postponed due to the coronavirus, was held in Auckland in a dramatic final between New Zealand and England, the two biggest powers in the women's competition, with the hosts winning a thrilling 34-31. and closed the curtain.
Horrocks believes the emergence of tournaments such as WXV, a three-tier international competition that began in October, will make the overall World Cup more competitive.
“The purpose of WXV is to be able to offer more competitive gaming,” she said. “I can see the winning percentage shrinking…
“We still have to work hard to prepare for the lower teams. It will take time. It's not going to be a quick fix by 2025. We have to think about moving to 2029 and then 2033. It must be done.”
Horrocks added off-field goals in the run-up to the 2025 World Cup in order to “build up an iconic sport with star players” and blamed the British woman's “team-first mentality”. And I was a little embarrassed about it.” of rugby. ”
Another aim of the tournament is to have a capacity crowd of over 80,000 at Twickenham for the final on September 27th.
“I think the stadium will be full,” Horrocks said. “It is also one of the world's largest media markets…
“So the chance to show the girls, their families and fans the noise, the excitement and the moments that represent a generation in rugby is going to be really special.”