Women’s Rugby: Breaking Barriers and Achieving Parity
Women’s rugby has long faced an uphill battle, struggling to achieve the same level of visibility, funding, and respect as the men’s game. But across the globe, a groundswell of grassroots initiatives is working to change that narrative. From Cambodia to Brazil, passionate community leaders are spearheading programs that are not only growing female participation, but also empowering a new generation of players, coaches, and advocates to shape the future of the sport.
Grassroots Movements: Inspiring the Next Generation
The Grassroots to Global initiative, led by ChildFund Rugby, the principal charity of Rugby World Cup 2021, is at the forefront of this transformation. Through a series of forums held in over 30 unions worldwide, this program is providing female community leaders with the tools and resources to drive meaningful change.
“We’ll have a forum in New Zealand for some of the women who’ve already come through the series to be able to share what’s happened in their national forums, network and get more inspiration from the other girls and women who are doing this,” explains Megan Knight, ChildFund Rugby’s Global Programs and Partnerships Manager.
These forums have already yielded impressive results. In Cambodia, for example, the country’s first-ever women’s rugby clubs are being formed, while in Brazil, the sport is expanding into new regions that had never heard of it before. The common thread? Empowered women taking the lead and inspiring others to join the movement.
Inclusive Policies and Accessibility
Grassroots initiatives are not just about growing participation numbers – they’re also about creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in rugby. One of the key pillars of the Grassroots to Global program is addressing the barriers that have historically prevented women from fully engaging with the sport.
“Especially because COVID-19 has decimated the community sports scene generally, but especially for girls and women,” says Knight. “So, it’s more important than ever to really focus on how these leaders can support their community to get girls and women back out to the pitch.”
From financial constraints to outdated societal stereotypes, the challenges are many. But the forums provide a platform for female leaders to collectively identify and tackle these issues head-on, ensuring that rugby becomes a truly accessible and welcoming space for all.
Diversity and Inclusion in Rugby
Representation and Role Models
One of the most powerful drivers of change in women’s rugby has been the visibility of female role models and leaders. As Megan Knight observes, “the vital role of female coaches and community role models” is essential in inspiring the next generation of players and administrators.
The Grassroots to Global initiative has sought to amplify these voices, providing a platform for female community leaders to share their stories and inspire others. In the Philippines, for example, Lia Calingacion and Ish Lanzar have been at the forefront of efforts to grow the women’s game, driven by their own passion for the sport.
“The mere fact that this is happening, that we’ve been given the opportunity to talk about barriers, to tackle those barriers, that’s really big for us,” Calingacion reflects. “If we feel empowered, we also want them to feel empowered through rugby.”
Overcoming Societal Biases
Grassroots programs are also tackling the deep-rooted societal biases that have long held women back in rugby. In some communities, the mere idea of women playing a physically demanding sport like rugby is still met with skepticism or even outright opposition.
The Grassroots to Global forums have provided a platform for female leaders to confront these challenges head-on. In the Philippines, for example, the community has identified a lack of visibility as a key contributor to the stigma surrounding women’s rugby. By working to increase the sport’s profile in schools and within the broader community, they hope to challenge these outdated perceptions and pave the way for greater participation.
Grassroots Rugby Development
Community-Based Programs
At the heart of the grassroots revolution in women’s rugby are community-based programs that are tailored to the unique needs and challenges of local populations. From Cambodia to Brazil, these initiatives are leveraging the power of rugby to drive positive change and create new opportunities for girls and women.
In Cambodia, the Grassroots to Global forums have been instrumental in the formation of the country’s first-ever women’s rugby clubs. These clubs not only provide a space for women to play the sport, but also serve as hubs for community engagement, advocacy, and leadership development.
Similarly, in Brazil, the expansion of rugby into new regions has sparked a surge of grassroots activity. As the sport takes root in previously untapped communities, local leaders are working to ensure that women and girls are not left behind, actively recruiting and creating pathways for their participation.
Skill-Building and Mentorship
Grassroots initiatives are also focused on equipping women with the skills and support they need to thrive in rugby, both on and off the field. A key component of the Grassroots to Global program is the opportunity for female leaders to engage in “Leadership Journey Mapping” – a hands-on approach to identifying the barriers they face and developing actionable plans to overcome them.
“It’s fabulous,” says Knight. “As sport-for-development specialists, this really shows that there’s an opportunity to support emerging unions and also to support World Rugby in reaching their strategic goals.”
Through these workshops, women are gaining access to mentorship, skill-building resources, and a supportive network of peers – all of which are crucial in empowering them to become the next generation of rugby leaders.
Rugby’s Impact on Global Change
Empowering Women through Sport
The transformative power of rugby extends far beyond the confines of the pitch. As grassroots initiatives like Grassroots to Global have demonstrated, the sport can serve as a powerful catalyst for broader social and cultural change.
“We’re being led by passion because we’re really passionate about the sport and we want to share that passion with the other girls,” says Ish Lanzar of the Philippines Rugby Football Union. “If we feel empowered, we also want them to feel empowered through rugby.”
By providing opportunities for women to excel, lead, and inspire, these grassroots programs are not only growing the game, but also challenging long-held gender norms and empowering female participants to become agents of change within their communities.
Fostering Societal Transformation
The ripple effects of these grassroots initiatives are being felt far beyond the rugby pitch. As women gain a stronger foothold in the sport, they are also leveraging their newfound platforms to drive broader societal change.
In Cambodia, for example, the formation of the first-ever women’s rugby clubs has sparked conversations around gender equality and women’s empowerment. Similarly, in Brazil, the expansion of rugby into new communities has opened up avenues for addressing social and economic disparities, with the sport serving as a unifying force.
“It’s clear that these efforts are opening new doors and changing the landscape of women’s rugby around the world,” observes Megan Knight. “This isn’t just a program; it’s a movement.”
Leadership and Advocacy in Women’s Rugby
Pioneering Voices and Trailblazers
At the forefront of the grassroots revolution in women’s rugby are a cadre of pioneering voices and trailblazers, each with their own unique stories and perspectives to share. From community leaders like Lia Calingacion and Ish Lanzar in the Philippines to the global influencers spearheading the Grassroots to Global initiative, these individuals are redefining the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport.
“The mere fact that this is happening, that we’ve been given the opportunity to talk about barriers, to tackle those barriers, that’s really big for us,” reflects Calingacion. “Once the opportunity was presented to us, we were just really excited to grab it and make a project out of it.”
Grassroots Activism and Policy Reforms
As the women’s rugby movement continues to gain momentum, grassroots activists are also turning their attention to policy reform and institutional change. By lobbying governing bodies, advocating for increased funding and resources, and challenging outdated regulations, these leaders are working to ensure that the sport’s future is more equitable and inclusive.
The Grassroots to Global forums have provided a platform for these conversations, allowing female community leaders to collectively identify the systemic barriers they face and develop strategies for overcoming them. From the formation of male advocacy groups to the creation of new leagues and competitions, the ideas generated through these discussions are already starting to take shape on the ground.
“It’s fabulous,” says Knight. “As sport-for-development specialists, this really shows that there’s an opportunity to support emerging unions and also to support World Rugby in reaching their strategic goals.”
The Future of Women’s Rugby: Aspirations and Opportunities
Sustainable Growth and Visibility
As the women’s rugby movement continues to gain momentum, the future looks increasingly bright. Grassroots initiatives like Grassroots to Global are laying the foundations for sustainable growth, empowering a new generation of leaders to take the sport to even greater heights.
“Especially because COVID-19 has decimated the community sports scene generally, but especially for girls and women,” says Knight. “So, it’s more important than ever to really focus on how these leaders can support their community to get girls and women back out to the pitch.”
Beyond simply growing participation numbers, these programs are also working to increase the visibility and representation of women in rugby, ensuring that the sport’s next chapter is defined by equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence.
Inspiring the Global Rugby Community
The ripple effects of the grassroots revolution in women’s rugby are being felt far beyond individual communities and unions. As these initiatives continue to drive positive change, they are inspiring the global rugby community to rethink its priorities and embrace a more inclusive future.
“It’s fantastic to see ChildFund Rugby’s Grassroots to Global series announce over 30 more forums as we enter this crucial period in the lead up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025,” says Sally Horrox, World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby. “To grow the game of rugby, we need more women in leadership roles both on and off the pitch. It’s great to have ChildFund Rugby and Gallagher onboard who share a common goal to recruit more girls and women into coaching from the grassroots community level right the way through to the elite end of the game.”
As the world’s rugby community gathers to celebrate the sport’s showpiece event, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the grassroots activists, trailblazers, and pioneering voices who have laid the groundwork for this moment will undoubtedly take center stage, inspiring the next generation of players, coaches, and leaders to carry the torch forward.
To learn more about the transformative work being done in women’s rugby, I encourage you to visit the Aberdeenshire RFC website at https://www.aberdeenshirerfc.org.uk/. There, you’ll find a wealth of resources and information on how you can get involved in this exciting movement.