Girls rugby

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My daughter has started playing rugby two weeks ago at a 8 week taster program to encourage girls into the sport. She adores it.
She never played before, but has played Gaelic football for a few years.
Most of the options we’ve had from friends is that it’s extremely rough and we’ll spend most of our weekends in a&e.
I really want to encourage any interest she has and feel it will be good for her.
We know nothing about the sport and I’ve lots of questions. I know she’ll need rugby boots, she’s playing in football boots at the minute and she has a mouth guard.
Is there anything else we need kit wise? Would you let you dd play? Any tips for keeping her out of a&e or is this just scare mongering.
I really happy that she so excited about it.
Any advice is welcome. She’s 12 years old

How brilliant. It's a fantastic sport - she will make friends for life. Find a local club and go from there. I played for.very young ,( younger than DS) to adult... Well done for encouraging her

My DD is 10 and has been playing rugby for almost a year with no injuries as yet 🤞🤞🤞it’s such a friendly and inclusive sport. Hope your DD has years of enjoyment out of it.

DD2 has been playing rugby for the past 8 years, contact for the past 2, and no a&e visits yet 🤞 Constantly covered in small round bruises from boot studs though! There are possibilities for injury as with any sport but as long as your daughter listens to the coaches, she’ll be taught how to play safely.

Rugby boots and football boots are pretty much the same thing so don’t go buying new if she has some already. I would recommend long sport socks that are quite bright, mainly because it makes it easier to pick your daughter out in the middle of a scrum! Underarmour (ideally with foam padding), jumper and a waterproof training top are other bits of clothing I’d recommend. Once we get into mud season, a robust washing machine is essential, along with a supply of bin/charity bags in your car if you’re transporting her afterwards.

DD2 loves it and comes alive on the pitch. There are some great role models in Women’s rugby too. Google Girls Rugby Club, they often run camps during the holidays and have guest coaches from the premiership teams.