A Summer of Sport Continues: Why the Women’s Rugby World Cup Matters
The Lionesses’ triumphant Euro victory might feel like the culmination of a summer of women’s sport, but the excitement is far from over. This month sees the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and it’s being held right here in England. For anyone who, like me, grew up watching mostly men’s sports, this is a significant moment.
Overcoming Barriers: A Lifelong Frustration
Growing up, even with a sports-mad brother, the focus was always on football. Rugby was a big deal at school – but only for the boys. There simply wasn’t an option for girls to participate. This lack of opportunity and representation has always been a source of frustration. Why aren’t all sports equally accessible to women? Why is rugby so often perceived as solely a man’s game?
Recently, I took my two young daughters to the Women’s Rugby Premiership Final, and it was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the kind of enthusiasm that makes live sports so thrilling. More importantly, it was an opportunity for my daughters to see strong, capable women excelling in a sport that has historically been male-dominated. They’re not yet old enough to understand the struggles these athletes might have faced – the stigma, the prejudice, the need to balance their sporting careers with other jobs. But these are the very things we need to address to create a level playing field.
Strong Bodies, Strong Minds: Addressing the Confidence Gap
I’m now an ambassador for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and I’m passionate about their ‘Strong Bodies, Strong Minds’ campaign. The campaign highlights the worrying statistic that over a million girls in the UK disengage from sports after primary school, with body confidence being the biggest obstacle. This statistic resonates deeply with my own experiences. I stopped participating in sports during school because I was deeply unhappy with my body. I avoided swimming and exercise, self-conscious about my appearance and not wanting to draw attention to myself.
Now, as a mother, I’m determined that my daughters won’t follow the same path. I want them to have the chance to see themselves represented in the world of sport and beyond. Representation is crucial. Seeing women participate in sports might have been a novelty for my generation, but I hope it will be entirely normal for theirs. This kind of exposure is incredibly powerful.
Ilona Maher: A Game Changer
Women’s rugby has seen a surge in popularity lately, thanks in large part to figures like American Olympian and Bristol Bears player Ilona Maher. With millions of followers on social media and a presence in mainstream media, Maher has done a great deal to change public perceptions of female rugby players and bring the sport into the spotlight. She’s undoubtedly one of the most-watched players at the World Cup.
Growing Participation, Persistent Challenges
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has reported a significant increase in women’s rugby participation, growing from 25,000 players in England in 2017 to 40,000 just five years later. Their ‘Every Rose’ strategy aims to reach 100,000 female players by 2027.
However, significant obstacles remain. Body image concerns, social stigma, a lack of grassroots initiatives, and a substantial gender pay gap continue to hinder progress. Until recently, the England women’s rugby team didn’t have full-time contracts. The 2014 World Cup-winning team included a plumber, a PE teacher, a police officer, and a school teacher, all balancing their sporting careers with other employment. While the RFU’s decision to professionalise the women’s squad was a positive step, a significant proportion of professional female rugby players still need to supplement their income with other jobs.
The gap between the men’s and women’s teams remains vast, not due to a lack of skill or potential, but due to a systemic lack of funding, interest, and enthusiasm for the women’s game. Without spectators, there are no sponsors. Without sponsors, there’s no investment. And without investment, progress is limited.
Our Role: Ensuring a Lasting Legacy
That’s why hosting a major tournament like the Women’s Rugby World Cup is so important. It’s an opportunity for us to play a role in ensuring the sport’s long-term success. I’ll be watching on television and attending as many games as possible. My daughters will be wearing their England shirts, just like boys do with their fathers. I want to foster a love for both football and rugby in them.
As an ambassador, I want to use my platform to support these incredible women. It’s crucial that people understand that even a small amount of support can make a big difference.
The bigger the tournament is on the world stage, the more enthusiasm for women’s rugby will filter down into schools, leading to more grassroots opportunities. England is the birthplace of rugby, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a sport for everyone.
Let’s build on the momentum generated by the Lionesses’ success and create a world where we no longer automatically assume that sports are primarily for men. By supporting the Women’s Rugby World Cup, we can help ensure that our daughters grow up with the same sporting dreams and opportunities as our sons. Our girls depend on it.