Women's 7s Programme at Institute of Rugby London

Women's 7s Programme

Summer 7s | Ages 16-21 | Elite Development

Ages16-21
ProgrammeSummer
Rugby7s
Brunel UniversityLondon
7s Rugby

The Fastest Game on Two Feet

7s rugby is rugby union played with seven players per side on a full-sized pitch. With fewer players and more space, 7s demands exceptional fitness, speed, skill, and decision-making. It's an Olympic sport, a World Series spectacle, and the ultimate test of all-round rugby ability.

Why 7s?

7s develops complete rugby players. The increased space and time on the ball accelerates skill development, while the fitness demands build exceptional conditioning. Many of the world's best 15s players - including numerous World Cup winners - credit 7s for developing their game.

The Summer Ahead

What to Expect

The Women's 7s Programme is intensive, challenging, and designed to develop complete 7s players. Here's what your summer will look like:

Training Focus Areas

Speed & Agility

01Acceleration and top-end speed
02Agility and change of direction
03Reactive speed and decision-making at pace
04Speed endurance for repeated efforts

Technical Skills

01Passing accuracy under pressure
02Catching and offloading
031v1 evasion and footwork
04Tackling technique in space
05Breakdown skills (quick ball, turnovers)
06Kicking (restarts, tactical kicks)

Tactical Understanding

01Attack structures and patterns
02Defensive systems (rush, drift, blitz)
03Restart strategies (kick-off, receiving)
04Game management (time, score, momentum)
05Reading the game and decision-making

Physical Conditioning

01Repeated sprint ability
02Aerobic base for recovery between games
03Power and strength for contact
04Core stability and injury prevention
05Heat and tournament conditioning

Mental Skills

01Decision-making under fatigue
02Communication and leadership
03Composure under pressure
04Tournament mentality (multiple games per day)
05Resilience and adaptability
Structure

Programme Structure

The Women's 7s Programme runs during the summer months, taking advantage of the 7s season calendar. This intensive programme combines technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and competitive match play.

Programme Details
Age Range16-21 years old
Duration6-8 weeks (June - August)
Training Hours20-25 hours per week
LocationBrunel University London & Ealing Trailfinders
AccommodationAvailable on-campus (optional)
Programme Dates

TBC

Programme dates to be confirmed. Contact us for details.

Accommodation available for all programme options - contact us for details.

Coaching

Expert 7s Coaching

Our 7s coaching team brings specialist knowledge of the 7s game, with experience across international, professional, and development 7s.

Head 7s Coach - 7s specialist with international experience
Skills Coach - Technical development and individual skills
Speed & Conditioning Coach - 7s-specific fitness programming
Defence Coach - Defensive systems and breakdown specialist
Analyst - Video analysis and opposition research

Coach Qualifications:

RFU Level 3+ coaching qualifications
7s-specific coaching certifications
Professional or international playing/coaching experience
First aid and safeguarding trained
Match Play

Competitive Opportunities

The Women's 7s Programme includes significant competitive match play. You'll test your skills against quality opposition throughout the summer.

Internal Competition

01Weekly inter-squad tournaments
02Skills challenges and competitions
03Fitness testing and benchmarking

External Competition

01Invitational 7s tournaments
02Fixtures against other academies and clubs
03University and development team matches
Facilities

World-Class Training Environment

Brunel University London

Multiple grass pitches (full-size for 7s training)
Indoor Athletics Centre (IAC) for speed and conditioning
Elite strength and conditioning gym
Video analysis suite
Sports science and physiotherapy support
Recovery facilities (ice baths, compression)

Ealing Trailfinders

Professional-standard training pitches
Championship-level facilities
Professional coaching environment

Why These Facilities Matter for 7s:

01Full-size pitches - 7s is played on full-size pitches; train as you play
02Indoor facilities - Speed and agility work regardless of weather
03Elite gym - Develop the power and strength 7s demands
04Recovery facilities - Essential for tournament preparation and high training loads
05Video analysis - Review and improve your game with professional analysis tools
Selection

Is This Programme For You?

This programme is designed for:

Female rugby players aged 16-21
Players with existing rugby experience (club, school, or representative level)
Athletes with speed, agility, and ball-handling ability
Players interested in 7s as a pathway or to develop their 15s game
Committed individuals ready for intensive summer training
Those seeking talent identification and elite pathway opportunities

You don't need to be:

An existing 7s specialist (we'll teach you the game)
Already at representative level (though it helps)
Planning to pursue 7s only (skills transfer to 15s)

What we're looking for:

Athletic ability and potential
Coachability and willingness to learn
Work ethic and commitment
Team player mentality
Passion for rugby
Included

Investment & What's Included

Programme Options

8 weeks

Full Summer Programme

4 weeks

Block 1 (First Half)

4 weeks

Block 2 (Second Half)

Contact us for current pricing and payment options.

Training

20-25 hours per week of professional coaching
Speed and conditioning sessions
Technical and tactical training
Video analysis and feedback
Sports science support

Competition

Internal tournaments and match play
External fixtures and tournaments (where applicable)
End-of-programme showcase event

Facilities

Full access to Brunel University sports facilities
Access to Ealing Trailfinders training ground
Gym and conditioning facilities
Recovery facilities (ice baths, physio room)

Extras

Programme training kit (shirt, shorts, socks)
Individual player assessment report
Certificate of completion
Pathway guidance and recommendations
Where It Leads

Where 7s Can Take You

The Women's 7s Programme is designed to open doors to elite 7s opportunities.

🇬🇧

GB 7s

Olympic pathway through the GB 7s programme.

🎓

University 7s

Preparation for BUCS 7s and university rugby programmes.

🌍

International Opportunities

Connections to 7s programmes in France, New Zealand, Australia, and beyond.

🏉

Transition to 15s

Skills developed in 7s transfer directly to 15-a-side rugby.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need 7s experience to apply?

No. We welcome players from 15s backgrounds who want to develop their 7s game. We'll teach you the specific skills and tactics.

Can I attend just part of the programme?

Yes. You can book Block 1, Block 2, or the full programme depending on your availability.

Is accommodation compulsory?

No. Accommodation is optional. Day players are welcome if you can commute to Brunel University.

What level of player are you looking for?

We're looking for players with rugby experience at school, club, or representative level. You should have basic rugby skills and good athletic ability.

What kit do I need to bring?

Bring your own boots, mouthguard, and personal training wear. We provide a programme training kit.

Is this programme suitable for 16-year-olds?

Yes. We have appropriate supervision and safeguarding in place for all participants, including under-18s.

What happens if I get injured?

We have sports physiotherapy support on site. Serious injuries will be referred to appropriate medical care. We recommend all players have appropriate insurance.

Limited Places

Ready to Join Women's 7s?

Places are limited | Apply early to secure your spot

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