Sexism has no place in rugby

The drill on a night out: “You’re too pretty to play rugby.” I awkwardly shuffle to the end of the bar. “Oi, why are you being a bitch, I was only paying you a compliment.”

For me, this kind of “compliment” is akin to a slap in the face, the backwards assumption of how when a woman plays a contact sport she loses all sense of what it is to be “female.”

Playing rugby makes me feel empowered, allowing me to showcase my strength and power. Why must these qualities be considered as solely “masculine”?

The truth of the matter is, sexism is embedded in our sports culture. As a female rugby player I’ve experienced my fair share of sexism during my time at university.

Often the abuse comes from the sidelines, as our prop Carmel Leak was subjected to during varsity last year while taking line outs - “you’re a f*****g sl*g” , “you’re too fat to play.”

Shockingly, even officials themselves make scathing remarks, with a ref once telling our captain Katie Wadeson: “I don’t usually ref women’s games, they get too moany and b**chy.” It seems ludicrous for us to be treated in an unequal manner by those officiating our games.

Often those closest to us fall prey to the misconceptions surrounding women’s rugby, although their intentions may not be hurtful. “Isn’t rugby a man’s sport?

“You’re too small to play rugby – you’ll get all bashed and broken.”

The fact of the matter is, just like the men, we don’t shy away from the prospect of bruises and scars. This isn’t at all to suggest we glorify injuries, but when we do get a knock to the face, or a shiner on our eye from putting our all into a game, we wear it with pride.

For a lot of people this remark will hit home the hardest, and is the one I’ve grown most sick of hearing: “You play rugby? So you’re a lesbian?”

First of all: How does taking part in a sporting activity have any kind of correlation with my sexual orientation? Answer - it doesn’t.

Second of all - how dare you give the notion of homosexuality any kind of negative connotation?

We have girls who are out and proud, those who swing both ways, and those who have unhealthy obsessions with Gerard Butler (ahem).

We are all strong, beautiful women, who share a passion and dedication to rugby and to each other. Nevertheless, every year we see more and more girls breaking through the ranks to play the sport they love.

I hope there will come a time when women’s sport gets the absolute recognition and respect it deserves.

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