Joint push focuses on gender equality
The RFU will join the International Working Group (IWG) to further focus on advancing gender equality in rugby in line with the union’s goal to develop the sport for women and girls.
The commitment to working jointly saw the RFU come together with IWG to sign the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, an international treaty that has become a road map to support the ongoing development of a fairer and more equitable system of sport and physical activity, fully inclusive of women and girls.
The Declaration was signed in New Zealand at an event ahead of the eighth IWG Conference that will bring together 1,500 delegates committed to furthering equality in women’s sport. Signatories included RFU CEO Bill Sweeney, RFU COO Sue Day and RFU director or rugby development Steve Grainger.
Focus areas for the partnership will be aligned to ‘Every Rose,’ the RFU strategy for women and girls covering all aspects of the sport with an aim to accelerate the pace of change for women’s rugby.
The priority areas are: Driving equal access to pitches in England for women and girls, as part of Rugby World Cup legacy commitments: enabling women and girls to play at the time that best suits them and supports the growth of the game. This includes working with rugby clubs and Constituent Bodies (grassroots geographic representatives) to look at best practice; Accelerating development of female leaders in universities and community clubs, also part of Rugby World Cup legacy activity; Working to provide a leading voice to lobby and advocate with other stakeholders to fully support women and girls’ sport; Working together with IWG and other groups working on behalf of women’s sport to continue to build actionable insights, develop resources and lobby cross sport collaboration on women’s sports policy.
Sweeney said: “Commitment to growing and developing the women’s game has been a huge priority in rugby union for some time. The RFU is pleased to be joining with IWG in a strategic partnership that will, through our collective voice and action, accelerate the development of the sport for women and girls as we look towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.”
ELSEWHERE, Keynsham 3rd enjoyed a 27-7 win at Counties 4 Somerset North bottom side Midsomer Norton 3rd to avenge the defeat suffered at Norton in 2019. It leaves Keynsham third in the table, now a point ahead of Walcot 2nd.
Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central leaders Corsham 2nd are now 13 points clear of nearest rivals Combe Down 2nd after beating Trowbridge 3rd 34-24.
In the Women’s Competitions, Bath returned to winning ways in the Championship South, winning 31-10 at home to Henley.
Esme Bird grabbed a brace of tries, alongside scores for Holly Edmonds, Nia Grundy and a penalty try. Sarah Holloway and Katie Derrick slotted a conversion apiece as Bath remain eight points clear at the top.