I think we all can agree that the Wallabies are by far the most discussed sporting team on this particular site and that largely Rugby tends to fill the majority of contributors submissions.
It’s the primary reason I have been regularly visiting The Roar since first discovering the site early last year. I thoroughly enjoy reading the articles and the opinions of my fellow posters.
However, amongst all the at times obsessive analysis that often occurs regarding our great game, we tend to forget that outside of the realm of the Wallabies we have another national team. One that in the last two seasons has seen a re-emergence on the international scene followed by swift success. Know who I am talking about? If you guessed our women’s equivalent then you’re dead on target – the Wallaroos.
These girls have represented our nation with zeal and play the game not only for the fun of it but as hard and with the as much tenacity as any of their male counterparts. But what attention do they get from the Rugby public let alone the wider community? “Well, done…good job”…. then nothing. This for a team that has recorded two of its most significant results in the last 18 months.
First, their enthralling victory at the Sevens RWC in Dubai, then recently their valiant third place getting in the women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Their best ever result. Women’s Rugby in Australia lacks its long overdue acknowledgment and is grossly underfunded.
This isn’t an attempt to put the guilt trip on anyone. As a fan we all tend to get caught up in the latest happenings of our most public face. My premise however is to attempt to highlight the inequities that exist between our male and female athletes. More importantly, this is meant to highlight the countless lost opportunities Rugby has for too long overlooked and failed to capitalise on in developing the game not only in the female arena but in its youth ranks too.
Rugby suffers from an image problem as do most collision sports. While at the elite level these may differ at their very base they all struggle with the perception that they are rough, dangerous and generally unsafe for young children. Such perceptions seriously stifle the games ability to grow their respective youth participation. To be completely honest when it comes to which sport their little Johnny will play regardless of the huff and puff their husbands may produce. Mother’s dictate terms.
This is where backing the women’s game and its current success could really assist the game in attracting more young girls/women and vitally more mother’s to its cause. When mothers realise that girls are participating in organised Rugby competitions administered in a safe environments the preconceived stereotypes will begin to be overcome.
We don’t need national competitions or even millions of dollars in investment. Though either would certainly prove useful particularly the money. What is needed is a well conceived and efficiently executed female development strategy. An effective national development blueprint specifically targeting girls and women separate from any current framework. One that provides Women with a real alternative and one that will see ambitious target outcomes set for the women’s game in this country.
Furthermore, we now have a vessel. Sevens Rugby is perfect for young girls and Women. Open and skillful while containing the less physicality of 15s but still enough to qualify it as a contact sport. It is relatively cheap to establish and doesn’t require a full squad to participate.
Oh, and we’re current World Champions. Not to mention the Olympics. Just two minor selling points.
The neglect of the women’s game has continued for far too long and I believe cannot be sustained. Our nation’s best have proven to be a force worthy of note on the international stage. A stage that should be noted is ever growing. To further place the importance of our female counterparts in the game as a secondary concern will see the game all the poorer for its neglect.
Significantly still by growing our female base an interesting flow on effect could follow. More young boys to bolster our future Wallaby ranks. If the girls can play why not little Johnny. Finally, the fathers and husbands alike may actually be able to win an argument or to put more aptly lose but with a far more satisfying outcome.
AngrySeahorse
Guest
Thanks p.Tah.
George
Guest
P Tah - put on some boxer shorts & take off your G String. No I am not Mark Latham & under a democracy all people are allowed an opinion - you just can't handle the truth in today's so called politically correct autocracy. By the way there are a lot of people out there who love rugby like I do who think the same as me. Rugby is a mans game & that is just the plain fact of the matter. If "women" want to play rugby let them set up their own comp with their own money and not be part of the ARU or IRB.
p.Tah
Guest
I thought you were joking, but on reflection I sadly think you're serious. I'd guess that in Australia one Wallaby's salary is higher than the total investment into the womens game. They are brilliant athletes and deserve more funds and more recognition... and more respect. George - you're not Mark Latham are you?
Dave
Guest
Maybe you should get your fellow leaguies to buy computers and put away $40 a month for internet.
George
Guest
Who cares - women should not play rugby - their game is an abomination & a joke. The ARU should put all its money in developing a second tier mens comp (the rugby shield) & stop funding womens rugby & in that way we will increase our Wallaby playing stocks. Women can play netball or what they have started in the USA - a Lingerie gridiron league - it is telecast on Foxtel & its interesting viewing - the Lingerie league is funded by business people & is not a financial drain on their NFL as it is an independent game. If women insist on playing Rugby - then let them set up their own association with no financial support from the ARU or IRB - it is a mans game.
AngrySeahorse
Guest
Rugby is a top sport for women/girls. I started at age 16, a skinny chick of Irish stock weighing less than 50kg but I learnt how to combine courage and good technique to bring down polynesian women twice my size. I am fortunate that I came from a family that let me play tackle footy with the local boys and girls after school when I was in primary school. After playing soccer, touch footy, softball, cricket, and a whole heap of other sports Rugby tops the lot. Granted we women cop plenty of crap from idiots but our love of the game cannot be stopped, I think its a great testament to the spirit of Rugby.
Cattledog
Guest
It is, isn't it!
Cattledog
Guest
That's interesting, why would that be funny?
Interesting
Guest
Cattledog, it really would be funny if your daughter decided that contact rugby is the game for her. Nicole Beck was converted from touch rugby to rugby in 2008 and made her debut for Australia in 2008 and played at both the 7s rugby world cups in 2009 and the 15s world cup this year.
anopinion
Guest
When Orwell used the words," ‘all people are created equal’, just some are created more equal than others", he was referring to a great injustice and pointing out the ignorance of those who accept that injustice as"normal". You use it as a clever sign off after ignoring the injustice of sexism. Now Alanis, that's ironic.
p.Tah
Guest
I agree 7s in summer would be brilliant. The festival type atmosphere is perfectly suited to warmer weather... just ask those who have attended the Darwin 7s. If you can enjoy it in that heat and humidity you can enjoy it anywhere. At the suburban level finding ovals that aren't taken up by cricket games could be a challenge, but you can always find a solution.
Cattledog
Guest
You have anopinion, I have an opinion, that's another norm of life. It's quite appropriate really that my daughter won the Pierre de Coubertin award in her second last year of school. I may be old fashioned, even 'gay' according to my son. However, like WCR and Dots we'll agree to disagree. And yeah, 'all people are created equal', just some are created more equal than others!
anopinion
Guest
Cattledog I am impressed. In one sentence you have managed to promote the 19th century social construct of boys do boys things and girls watch, and blame it on our DNA. "most people stay within the ‘norms’ of society, which are governed by a certain extent by our DNA." Human DNA does not change from girl to boy, rather from person to person. Thus a girl can be "wired" for aggression and contact as much as any boy. The Olympics modern founder Pierre de Coubertin held similar views to you about social constructs. Quote, "there is nothing so vulgar as to see a woman sweat". This view coupled with the belief that rigorous exercise would make a women unable to bear children is the reason the Olympics did not allow until very recently, the women's marathon, 800 meters or 1500 meters swim. The "norms of society" have had their day, the internet has proven there is no "normal" and the performance of woman to constantly disprove past generalisations should have changed your mind. As an example women at one point were not allowed to vote (because women it was believed did not have the brains to understand politics) and we now have a female Prime Minister. Please join us in believing that "all people are created equal".
Cattledog
Guest
As with WCR, we will agree to disagree. If you're happy for the women in your life to play such contact sports for all the 'sociological' reasons, then good on ya! I'm not!
...
Guest
While I appreciate your opinion, I disagree that women playing rugby is inappropriate. You say that "genetic" differences (and I am not denying these differences) account for why there are more male boxers etc and then go on to say that "opportunities" have allowed increased female participation. I think this highlights that sociological norms have far more to do with it than do physiological differences. On this point, the world record times for the womens 100m have experienced a linear decrease over the years and at a greater rate than their male counterparts. Is this because females have been physiologically changing and have increased their capacity to run faster? Or could it be accounted by sociocultural changes, increased participation, accessibility etc? Just because our society has established these norms doesn't mean that this is how it should be and I find it disappointing that people may discourage female participation in rugby based on these norms and traditional values. I think the benefits of playing rugby (social and physical - in terms of skill development, increased physical activity, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular improvements) far outweigh the reasoning that is based around these norms. If girls are playing against girls, I fail to see how this is inappropriate based around "genetics" - females respond to a training stimulus the same as males, experiencing the same relative gains and unit for unit, female muscle tissue doesn't differ from a male in potentials for force development.
extreme13
Roar Rookie
Yes I did read the whole thing, I mentioned what I only wanted to mention, why have you got a problem with that?
Cattledog
Guest
Well Dots, society dictates to some extent the 'norms' and whilst the 'political correctness' brigade would have you think anything is possible, most people stay within the 'norms' of society, which are governed by a certain extent by our DNA. It's one reason we don't have females coming home in bodybags from Iraq or Afghanistan. Society isn't ready to accept that at this point in time. Not to mention the training implications...but that's another story... Genetically males and females are significantly different. That's why there are countless more male boxers, rugby players, league players etc etc. Not to say there are not now the opportunities for females to venture into these male dominated areas. I know for a fact my daughter has no ambition whatsoever to venture into any of these domains, thank heavens. That's not to say I haven't encouraged her to be the best she can be and do whatever she feels comfortable doing. She understands these things are more appropriate for men to undertake...probably due to genetics.
Cattledog
Guest
The beauty about our democratic way of life WCR is we can agree to disagree. I'm sure there are many girls / women who want to play that brutally physical game, which it is. I'm just glad my daughter isn't one of them.
Oakie
Guest
WCR, I think your article was excellent, 7's as a summer sport spot on, maybe you should send your ideas to the ARU, because to me besides Super Rugby & test matches what is the ARU doing to promote the game in other area's, not much I would say.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Cattledog I'm afraid I disagree with your sentiment. I actually have a very good example of what can happen when you provide the opportunity to young women to play a sport right on my doorstep. This year saw the inaugural Illawarra Women's Rugby League. At the start of their season there were just two teams. By seasons end it had swelled to 7 with Wollongong Uni taking the title if I'm not mistaken. On top of that the newly formed League has already had 3 more teams committing to play next season taking the total from just 2 to 10 in one season. That's a pretty impressive indication that if you provide an avenue you'll see results. I see 7s as the perfect vessel for Women's Rugby mainly because it isn't as brutally physical as 15s while still allowing girls/women a chance to play a competitive contact sport. Personally, I would like to see the ARU look to establish 7s as a Summer sport in Australia to compliment 15s in the winter. I think you'd be surprised with the turnout.