Spanton has used today, March 8 (International Women’s Day) to launch an online survey – entitled ‘Shaping the rugby future for women and girls in Wales’ – designed to gather the views of all those with an interest in women’s and girls’ rugby. She will also host a series of open forums around Wales at the end of next month before finalising the new strategy in the summer.
She said: “I’ve already seen that there is significant appetite and talent to grow the game across Wales, both in terms of players and volunteers doing fantastic work.
“We need to develop an accessible, attractive and inclusive pathway so that girls and women can be involved across all levels of the game from playing to administrating, coaching and refereeing.”
“We want to gain an insight from all those involved in the game into how best to attract more girls to rugby and keep them involved, whether that may involve changes to playing formats, club structures, access to coaching, refereeing or administration courses and we will launch a clear strategy to deal with the whole of the game in the summer.
“We want to hear from players – those who may have played in the past or who would like to have a go in the future, either at 15-a-side rugby or shorter, more accessible formats such as Touch Rugby or Sevens. We are also particularly keen to get feedback from any coaches or teachers who either coach women and girls already or who have a potential interest in doing so.
“We want to make rugby the number one sports choice for women and girls and so we want to hear the views, thoughts, opinions and ideas of a cross section of the game to help make this aspirational ambition a reality.
“We know there are many misconceptions and sometimes negative perceptions around the sport and are aware of many real barriers stopping women and girls playing, but if we hear what factors affect women and girls most, we are determined to find solutions to overcome them.
“We want it to be the norm for women and girls to be involved in rugby across the entire pathway through playing, coaching, refereeing, volunteering, in the public eye and in governance.
“The feedback we receive, through the online survey and via the forums will be crucial in supporting the development of a dynamic plan to drive the women’s game as part of our overall rugby strategy and help shape an inclusive and equal rugby future across our communities.
“We will ensure the new strategy is fully aligned to the rest of the game in Wales and will maximise existing resources such as the school-club hubs, international skills coaches, development officers and whole of the WRU rugby department to ensure there is an equality of opportunity for women and girls Wales in playing, coaching, refereeing and volunteering.”
The online survey [CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY], launched today, March 8, International Women’s Day, will be open until May 10 and the forums, open to all, will take place at the end of April in each of the Regions:
Monday 20 April 7pm Carmarthen Quins RFC
Tuesday 21 April 6pm Aberdare RFC
Wednesday 22 April 6pm Cardiff International Stadium
Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm Caerphilly Centre for Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach
Thursday 30 April 6pm Llandarcy Academy of Sport
North Wales Saturday 25 April time TBC
Alternatively, you can email cspanton@wru.co.uk directly with your views.
