Kristy Giteau on women's rugby

For a bit over a century, women have had a role between the lines of a rugby field. It’s unknown exactly when the first women’s rugby game was officially played.

Women played rugby in the 19th Century in Portora Royal School in Ireland. In Sydney, 1921, there were 30,000 spectators at a women’s rugby game.

Many years later the game of rugby has struggled to fully integrate women’s rugby into the mainstream. This may be partly due to an old fashioned stigma that holds rugby back in many other ways as well, the ‘old boys’ game, or for other reasons.

Rugby is a sport that appeals to many women all over the world and concerted effort by people involved in the game in Australia has begun to lift the profile of the game.

Thankfully we can be proud that the skill level and the results of the Australian women’s rugby team speak for themselves and are well and truly capable of generating their own positive reviews.

Below is a rugbywits exclusive that we felt due to our site’s young age would be worth sharing here.

It is an excerpt of an insightful post by an Australian Wallaroos representative, Kristy Giteau about her view of the world of women’s rugby.

She is from a famous rugby family, but as you will see, has a story and viewpoints that deserve to be shared all on their own.

Take it away Kristy!
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Physio and strappers… CHECK… food given prior and post games… CHECK… ice baths scheduled… CHECK… five-star accommodation and flights booked… CHECK… kit supplied… CHECK… management team provided to ensure every demand is catered to… CHECK. Welcome to the world of men’s rugby.

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Training at 6am before work… CHECK… booking and purchasing your own plane ticket and accommodation… CHECK… apply for leave that I have accrued from doing weekend work prior to tournaments… CHECK… chip in some money to cover the cost of food throughout a tournament…. CHECK… wear cheap singlets in an attempt at a playing kit that can be worn at a tournament so we look united… CHECK… Welcome to the world of women’s rugby!

Whilst our experience is vastly different to that of the men, involvement in elite rugby has exposed me to some phenomenal things.

I have travelled to different countries around the world, some desirable, some maybe not on my hit list of ‘must-see’ places but all have been nonetheless rewarding.

I have developed friendships and now see these girls as my second family.

I have been fortunate to sing the national anthem, emotionally choked, in front of and surrounded by people who have witnessed me sacrifice a lot to be there.

The sport that has given so much to me and yet, my family still sees me frustrated by the lack of domestic and international competitions that would guarantee our sport’s growth to potentially dominate the world stage.

For women who work a full-time job, clock up 15 hours a week training semi-professionally, committing themselves to a national satellite program – with no certainty on when the next competition may arise – and manage families (all in their spare time!), a rugby tournament is generally a great reward for a week well done.

It is embraced as a relaxing getaway and, at times, an outlet from the mundane and sometimes stressful world that we all face.

This reward generally is very costly and at times not a viable option for many girls, particularly the Wallaroos who have just returned from a four week ‘holiday’ playing in the World Cup in England.

For many women who play representative rugby, taking four weeks off work could mean these girls are saving for months prior in order to afford the opportunity to represent their country in the biggest event for our sport.

To date, we have had the amazing support of an amazing man, Graeme Holland, who has shown great faith and belief in the Australian women’s team.

He has, with the support of other sponsors, provided the women with some domestic and international tournaments that would not have been a viable option without his support.

With major and minor sponsorship following we have seen Playmore, Samurai, Mizuno, Eagles Boys and ULR come on board, to ensure we could promote and package women’s rugby in the best light, in front of club, state and national teams as well as rugby enthusiasts and the wider community.

These sponsors were bold, invested their faith in us and took the first step in exposing us to the luxurious world of the men’s experience… I wonder who will follow?