In a move aligning with World Rugby’s focus on global female development, Cayman Rugby has successfully rolled out T1 Rugby, a new non-contact rugby format for women.
This new format, launched on 4 Oct. at the Cayman Rugby Club in South Sound, is the progression pathway of the ‘Rugby Rising Play’ initiative that falls under World Rugby’s global impact programme ‘Impact Beyond 2025’ launched in 2024.
“We officially launched just two weeks ago and have already seen a fantastic turnout! Ex-players, current players, moms, wives, netballers, flag footballers and women who have never played sport – people from all walks of life – have come out to give it a try,” said Mercedes Foy, Cayman female rugby manager.
Foy emphasised the programme’s immediate success by noting that 30 women have already tried T1 Rugby with regular sessions drawing 20 to 25 participants weekly since its kick-off.
She highlighted that the inclusive, non-contact format welcomes all players aged 17 and above.
T1 Rugby follows the same core principles as traditional rugby – including rucks, kicking, line-outs, and scrums – but without the physical intimidation of contact.
“We are actively working to grow our female community at Cayman Rugby and have recognized that contact rugby can feel intimidating or overwhelming for many. Additionally, with several players retiring from the contact game, T1 non-contact rugby provides the perfect opportunity to keep them engaged in the sport,” Foy said.
The programme is gearing up for its first-ever T1 Rugby Rising Play women’s match on 15 Nov. at 10am at the Cayman Rugby Club.
This domestic game will serve as the “pre-match curtain-raiser” for the Cayman national rugby women’s team’s main fixture, which kicks off at 11am against the Raleigh Venom from North Carolina.
Following this debut, Foy said the focus will shift to establishing a local women’s league, with plans also in place to explore opportunities to compete in international off-island tournaments.
Reflecting on its commitment to youth development, Foy says, “[We] will be transitioning this year’s inter-schools secondary and primary competitions to T1 Rugby. We are currently active in schools, supporting the delivery of PE lessons and after-school clubs to help prepare teams for the upcoming competitions.”
T1 Rugby training sessions are currently held at the Cayman Rugby Club every Thursday from 5:45pm to 6:45pm and Saturday from 8:30am to 9:30am.
Contact rugby still remains a key priority
Although this new format has been introduced “as a key pillar of the island’s growth and development plan”, Foy says that developing the contact programme still remains a key priority for Cayman’s women rugby.
“To support this, we’ll be launching a beginner ‘Get Into Contact Rugby’ block running from mid-November through to February next year, aimed at introducing new players to the contact game in a supportive and structured environment,” she said.
She affirms that both programmes will continue to run side-by-side, “underscoring our commitment to creating an empowered, inclusive, and welcoming rugby community where more women can discover their passion for the game.”
