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'Development of women in rugby is the single greatest opportunity for our sport to grow in the next decade'

By Online Editors

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont believes women’s rugby will be rugby’s next massive growth sector. 

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Ahead of World Rugby Council convening in Dublin this Wednesday, Beaumont launched a new Women in Rugby brand identity and landmark global campaign ‘Try and Stop Us’. It is aimed at driving increased participation and engagement among fans, audiences, players and investors in the women’s game.

He said: “We firmly believe that the development of women in rugby is the single greatest opportunity for our sport to grow in the next decade, which is why we are proud to share our exciting new brand identity. 

“Not only is women’s rugby experiencing unprecedented growth around the world but we are well on the way to realising our vision of a more equitable game for all through the implementation of our ambitious strategic women’s action plan, which is having a transformational effect on all areas of the game. 

“From the highest levels of the sport’s governance to grassroots participation, we are wholly committed to driving gender-balance and ensuring that women have equal opportunities both on and off the field, driving increased involvement and engagement in the women’s game from fans, audiences, players and investors.” 

The new global campaign is using the inspiring stories of 15 women and girls involved in rugby at all levels of the game from around the world to highlight the “unstoppable” message at the heart of the campaign. 

They have challenged barriers to participation and demonstrated how rugby has empowered them to get where they are today, both on and off the pitch.

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World Rugby claim women’s rugby is one of sport’s great success stories, experiencing unprecedented growth around the world. Participation levels are at an all-time high with 2.7 million players globally – making up more than a quarter of the global playing population – and a 28 per cent increase in registered players since 2017. 

They added that for the second year running, more young girls have got into rugby globally than boys and more than 40 per cent of rugby’s 400 million fanbase are female.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said: “By launching this unique brand identity and proposition we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to growing participation and exposure for women’s rugby around the globe, a core strand of the women in rugby action plan. 

“The campaign – Try and Stop Us – is a call to action designed to drive engagement with the women’s game by showcasing unstoppable women in rugby around the world. It focuses on celebrating the unique values of rugby and aligns with our overarching message, Rugby Builds Character. 

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“We want to communicate to every female across that globe, that when you choose to start playing rugby, it has the power to make you unstoppable.”

World Rugby believe they are one of sport’s most inclusive organisations, highlighting how their council will convene on Wednesday in Ireland with 17 female members in position for the first time – the largest-ever representation of women on council – following the transformational governance reform introduced in 2017.

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Roger 27 minutes ago
Why the Wallabies won't be following the Springboks' rush defence under Schmidt

You forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.

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