The bigger gap

In recent years, the girls’ game has grown at pace. More players, better competition, and clearer pathways have created opportunity. But growth also exposes gaps, particularly in how we physically prepare young female players for the demands of rugby.

Emily Pratt has been central to addressing this challenge through the rollout of the Girls U16 Foundational Athletic Development and U18 Athletic Development programmes. Her message is simple but powerful. If we want more girls to reach the top of the game, we must stop relying on chance and start planning for the long term.

Hidden overload

Too often, talented players progress through club, school, and county rugby with good intentions but limited structure. Sessions stack up. Weeks become crowded. Physical development becomes reactive rather than purposeful.

Players work hard, but not always wisely.

Emily’s programme flips that model. Instead of asking players to do more, it asks them to do better.

Long view wins

At its core is a long-term athletic development mindset. The aim is not short-term dominance at 15 or 16, but giving players the physical tools to cope with the speed, power, and robustness required at the highest level later on.

Speed, strength, stamina, and resilience are not left to chance. They are deliberately built, layered, and revisited over time.

The quiet gap

One of the most striking insights Emily shares is the idea of the “invisible gap”.

On the surface, two players may appear similar. Both train regularly. Both play for good teams. But over time, the player following a structured athletic programme quietly pulls away. They move better. They recover faster. They tolerate load. They stay available.

That gap rarely shows up immediately. It appears two or three seasons later, often when selection tightens and physical demands spike.