Rugby’s a Women’s Game

Rugby, like football, has long been seen as a man’s game. One of the main reasons for this is probably the roughness. Let’s be honest, it’s not a dainty sport and is fraught with danger, including broken noses, crushed collar bones, broken legs and missing teeth. Not exactly appealing to some women (or men), so what exactly can be done to increase the interest?

The recent success of Women’s teams has certainly bolstered interest, but on the whole, women’s sport always tends to get less coverage and less sponsorship than men’s sports. At Rugby Plus, we know that it should be equality for all in sports – not just Rugby. Golf and football are both prime examples of how men seem to come out better with prize money, recognition and opportunities than women. It has almost become a crusade for many people, both women in the sport and male and female advocates of the sport to get women’s rugby noticed in higher places.

What does it take?

They say actions speak louder than words. Money is one thing that tends to speak louder than anything else, and if women’s rugby is to make an impact on the sporting world on a long-term basis, it needs some serious sponsorship money. The team members should be receiving sponsorship money from sporting companies, apparel companies, fitness and equipment companies. They should be seen on TV and gain more positive exposure.

There is still the common misconception that women’s rugby is less exciting, less serious and less raw than when rugby played by men. As anyone who has watched (or played) women’s rugby will testify, as we do at Rugby Plus nothing could be further from the truth. We have lots of eye catching ladies wear on offer and we have seen a huge increase in demand from this area.

We need to get the women’s teams and their players noticed. We need to learn to recognize the face of a woman rugby player the same way we all recognize Johnny Wilkinson or Bill Beaumont, or the Underwood’s, Tony and Rory. The question is, how many women players could you mention? At Rugby Plus we know it won’t be long until the top sporting females are recognised, similar to their male counterparts.