Amongst the initiatives – which can be read in detail here – is that each country’s Women’s Six Nations Championship matches will be available to watch live (either on television or streamed live on Six Nations YouTube/Facebook channels).
Wales Women head coach Rowland Phillips welcomed the news, commenting: “We’re delighted with today’s announcement. It’s another step in the right direction. People are sitting up and taking notice of the women’s game now, particularly because the quality and standard of rugby is improving season by season. It’s a positive style of rugby that’s good to watch, and announcements like the one made today are great for the game.”
Caroline Spanton, National Women’s Rugby Manager, is equally effusive about the developments. “This is a significant development in the profile of women’s sport and particularly for the growth of women’s rugby,” says Spanton.
“Having our games televised will now open the doors to broaden the audience and hopefully generate a new level of support towards women’s rugby.”
Spanton hopes that today’s announcement will further increase awareness of the women’s game. “It would be great if this sparks an interest and engages people who may never have considered taking up the sport previously. This could be people who may want to get involved via playing, coaching or refereeing. People will also now see the incredible talent we have in our International team in Wales and get behind us in the Women’s Six Nations and later on in the year in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.”
Head coach Phillips is also confident that attendances at women’s games will continue to grow year on year – not least with Wales Women hosting England and Ireland at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in early February and March.
“It’s fantastic that people who can’t get to games now won’t have to miss them, but I’d always encourage people to go to watch games live as well,” says the former Wales international, whose team faces Ireland this Sunday in a warm-up match at Donnybrook. “The atmosphere, being there in the moment with the players, you can’t replicate it.”
Wales Women will name their Women’s Six Nations squad on Monday. Tickets for their highly-anticipated home matches against England and Ireland are now available here.
