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Women’s rugby union sides in Caerphilly County Borough are a month away from kicking off the 2024/25 season.

Ynysddu will compete in the eight-team Championship this season – the second tier of women’s rugby in Wales.

Meanwhile, Blackwood, Deri, and Senghenydd will compete in the Championship East, which is the third tier.

The season will kick-off on September 5 and run through to February, along with cup competitions.

The new campaign sees an expanded WRU Admiral National League structure, with Penygraig, Treorchy, Abercwmboi, Ynysybwl and Newport HSOB all entering teams this season, resulting in an expansion to six leagues featuring 39 clubs.

“We now have 1,700 women aged 18+ playing across Wales and the expansion of the league system reflects the growing demand for more opportunities for women to play rugby across Wales,” said ex-international Caryl Thomas, who is now the WRU’s girls and women’s community lead.

“There are more players, more clubs and a more clearly defined pathway,”

Thomas continued: “The greater visibility around the Wales women’s national team, the advent of professional contracts and the greater awareness in general of women’s sport has led to more women and girls wanting to play rugby.

“With the national team having qualified for next year’s World Cup in England, the rise in interest and demand is only likely to climb even higher. That’s why it is great to see new clubs coming on board in the national league system.”

There are now around 4,800 girls aged under 18 taking part in rugby activities in Wales, according to the WRU, giving a female playing population of around 6,500.

WRU Admiral National League divisions for 2024/25