Finland has national teams for both 7′s and 15′s. Both train together, in the Finnish Rugby Academy.
Women’s 15′s
Women’s NT 15′s players are also picked from the Academy. Head coach for the 15′s is Tytti Yli-Viikari. Women’s 15′s team is participating in the European Trophy Tournament in early May 2012 in Enköping, Sweden. Finland was pooled together with Netherlands, Sweden and Russia. The teams ranked 1st & 2nd in this Tournament will qualify for the WRWC 2014 Qualifier to be held in 2013.
The following players will represent Finland in Sweden:
Teija Alasalmi, Lotta Casey, Anne Haukkovaara, Maria Huitti, Maija Kumpula, Armi Lahti, Heta Lampinen, Kati Leskinen, Karoliina Levy, Jenni Mäkirinta, Mia Niemelä, Pauliina Paananen, Anna Pikkarainen, Noora Plattonen, Minna Raatikka (C), Satu Raudasoja, Taru Saarinen, Eveliina Sapatti, Anna Soiluva, Niina Mikkinen, Ulla Tuomainen, Hanna Visuri and Piia Vuorinen.
More information on the women’s NT 15′s from team manager Laura Laakso: Womens’s 15′s Team Manager
Rugby Academy
The Academy operates under the Finnish Rugby Federation. The organisation consists of the academy head coach (Henri Tyrväinen), 15′s head coach Tytti Yli-Viikari and 7′s head coach (Lauri Ylönen), physio (Jani Parkkinen) and over 30 players. Outside lecturers and coaches are also used. The players to the Academy are chosen according to recommendations of Finnish rugby club coaches. The Academy creates platform for the national team selection.
The Academy relies on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) coaching principles, material, and their training courses. The most importat goal for the Academy is to coordinate and develop the women’s coaching in Finland, and therefore ensure that the current info is passed from the coaches to local clubs. The Academy also works as a network between the players and coaches. In order to develop, it is important
to create networks both within Finland and abroad, with international rugby academies.
The Academy provides the players with a possibility to develop as a better team player. Several coaches present at trainings, videotaped material, etc, make constant follow-up possible and thus enable better and individual feedback to each player. The Academy gives out specific fitness programs to follow and monitors the player development throughout the season with different types of tests. Academy trains in the federations associate Eerikkilä Sports Institute.
More information on the Rugby Academy from :Henri Tyrvainen, +358 40 841 7992.
Women’s NT 7′s
Season 2011
Finland will play in the European Top 12 tournament that is held in Bucharest in 16-17th of July. Lauri Ylönen leads the squad to the tournament. More information will follow.
The following players will represent Finland in Bucharest:
Emmi Laine
Heta Lampinen
Karoliina Levy
Niina Kärkäs
Kati Miettinen
Anna Soiluva
Minna Raatikka
Virpi Sironen
Rea Siikavirta
Juuli Suominen
Replacements:
Satu Raudasoja
Noora Plattonen
Finland will play in pool B with the Netherlands, France, Russia, Portugal and Moldova, whereas Spain, Italy, England, Germany, Sweden and Romania will play in pool A. Last year, Spain won the championship. Finland’s match schedule is as follows:
16.7
Finland-Russia
Finland-Portugal
Finland-Moldova,
Finland- France
17.7
Finland-The Netherlands
Rank Match
Women’s NT 15′s
Women’s NT 15′s players are also picked from the Academy. Head coach for the 15′s is Lauri Ylönen. Women’s 15′s team played in the European Trophy Tournament in early May 2011 in Coruna, Spain. Finland was pooled together with Spain, Sweden and France.
More information on the women’s NT 15′s from Lauri Ylönen: lauri.ylonen@rugby.fi, +358 50 491 0421.
Results from European Trophy 2011:
Spain- Finland 119-0
Sweden- Finland 20-0
France- Finland 109-3
Russia- Finland 22-5
Finland had to settle for the 8th place in the tournament.
Players representing Finland in Spain (from top left): Satu Raudasoja, Jenna Heinola, Juuli Suominen, Saara Ilmonen, Lauri Ylönen (head coach), Ulla Tuomainen, Daniela Vesterbacka, Emmi Laine, Jenni Kilpeläinen, Mika Koskinen (team manager), Niina Tikkanen, Kirsti Lammert, Niina Jyrkkä, Sanni Virtanen, Pauliina Paananen, Taru Saarinen, Jani Parkkinen (physio), Anna Soiluva, Minna Raatikka (c), Marikki Nykänen (reserve), Henri Tyrväinen (assistant coach), Miina Porkka, Taina Kolehmainen, Vilma Aho, Mia Niemelä (reserve), Teija Alasalmi, Karoliina Levy, Kati Miettinen, Virpi Sironen, Ann-Marie Dahlqvist, Noora Plattonen ja Heta Lampinen.
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