FEMALE RUGBY THRIVING AT BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers Rugby Football Club is celebrating an outstanding season for its girls’ and women’s rugby programme after being selected for a prestigious training session with Connacht Rugby, supported by Corrib Oil.
Buccaneers currently field teams from Leprechauns/Minis to Seniors – across all Connacht age grade competitions and have seen female participation rise to almost 25% of total club membership, underlining the strength of the club’s inclusive and community focused ethos.
The 2025-26 season marked Year One of Buccaneers’ four year strategic plan to develop female rugby at all levels, with the long term ambition of establishing a fully competitive All-Ireland League Women’s team based in Athlone.
Season highlights include
Historic U-14 Girls, first Buccaneers girls team to win the Connacht Division 1A Cup.
U-16 Girls squad > 30 players, reached Connacht 1A Final for the second consecutive season.
Promising performances from U-18 and Senior Women’s teams, with Buccaneers fielding a full Senior Women’s team in Connacht Division 2.
Establishment and growth in schools rugby, with Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone Community College and Our Lady’s Bower all now fielding full girls’ teams.
A robust player pathway, supported by primary school programmes in the region, summer camps, “Give It a Try” initiatives and Saturday summer rugby fitness sessions; growing strong links with TUS including shared training sessions, facilities and coaching.
At female representative level 9 players training with Connacht U-18 interpro & U-16 development squads while Irish internationals Anna McGann and Ivana Kiripati are Buccaneers rugby graduates!
Further recognition came this season when Buccaneers were named All Ireland winners of the prestigious Royal London 2025-26 Women & Girls Rugby Award validating the club’s long term commitment to inclusive female sport, female health and growing the women’s game.
Looking Ahead
With momentum building at every age group, this is an exciting time for girls’ and women’s rugby at Buccaneers. We welcome players for all age groups, new coaches and administrators.
Give it a Try, Summer Fitness and 2026-27 Pre-season.
Buccaneers RFC thanks our current Female Teams sponsors AIA Loss Accessors, RBK, TUS – physio and The Bounty Bar & Restaurant and are inviting commercial partners to join the next phase of this journey. Jersey sponsorship U-14/U-18 Girls or other gear sponsorship opportunities. A broader programme sponsorship, supporting female rugby from Minis to Senior. Tiered Sponsorship Packages are also available.
web www.buccaneersrfc.com – email rugby@dubarrypark.com – phone 086 1732711
