Cyprus women’s rugby takes major steps towards international competition

Cyprus Rugby took another huge step towards establishing a women’s team at the weekend, boosting their aspirations to compete internationally starting in 2027.

On Saturday 4 April 2026, a team of 16 Cyprus-based rugby players participated in the first women’s full contact matches ever played on the island, marking another historical moment for the game in Cyprus. These games took place during the third round of the men’s Cyprus Rugby 7s Championship at the AEL Limassol Rugby home ground in Limassol, drawing a large crowd of supporters.

The women delivered an outstanding performance in both games, showcasing impressive skill and determination, proving they were not there merely to make up numbers, as evidenced by the numerous tries scored. Out of the 16 players, 7 are eligible to represent Cyprus and will strive to make an impact at the first women’s training camp at Eton Manor Rugby Club in England on Saturday 2 May 2026, where they will be joined by other women from the wider Cypriot Diaspora.

Now that the first step has been taken, it’s crucial to maintain the momentum and provide women with the opportunity to build upon these beginnings.

Cyprus Women’s Team Manager, Christy Yiannoudes said:

“I am extremely proud of these girls and how far they have come in such a short time. Today was a historic moment not only for Cyprus Rugby but for women’s sport in Cyprus. I am confident this team can go on to match the achievement of the Men’s team in establishing themselves as competitors within Rugby Europe competitions.”

Dave Lee, Cyprus Rugby’s Development Officer, added: “This is a project we at Cyprus Rugby have been working on for some time and we saw today as an opportunity to showcase months of training to highlight that rugby is a game for everyone and that you can play the game irrespective of your age, size or skill level. I am looking forward to working with this group to develop them to become the best they can be and fear no one.”

A huge thank you is owed to Steve Wrigglesworth, the Women’s Coach at AEL Limassol Rugby, for his patient and empathetic coaching style. His guidance and encouragement have helped the players reach their current level of confidence, enabling them to get out on the field and play rugby.

Christina Charalambous, a player for AEL Limassol Women who also aspires to represent Cyprus, joined the club in August 2025. She quickly adapted to touch rugby and performed exceptionally well in the initial tournaments of the season. However, when the chance arose to advance to full contact play, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has dedicated herself to training and has the bruises to prove it.

Christina said after today’s games: “I am so happy to have been part of this today and I achieved my goal of scoring a try and making some tackles. It’s a great game to play and I would encourage any girls out there to come and give it a go, you may surprise yourself. The opportunity to represent Cyprus in sport internationally is amazing and one I intend to pursue fully.”

Stay tuned to our social media and WhatsApp channels for information about upcoming women’s games.

If any women in Cyprus are interested in giving rugby a try and would like to attend training, please contact Dave via development@cyprus-rugby.com or on WhatsApp to +357 97 773836.

Alternatively, click here to find and contact your local club.

For anyone in the wider Cypriot Diaspora who would like to get involved, you can contact Team Manager, Christy via email at women-teammanager@cyprus-rugby.com.