Anne Onwusiri on Barriers
Founder of Black Girls Ruck, Anne Onwusiri, joined the Challenging the Game podcast. Here's some thought-provoking moments that got me thinking about equality, diversity and barriers within rugby.
“One of the main challenges or possibly barriers for people of colour within rugby is lack of representation.
This is across all levels of the sport. I think typically if you're a person of colour in a living in a city area, you're not really exposed to rugby as much.
There’s often a laddish culture that comes with rugby. So for all women, regardless of colour, the traditional perception of rugby may make you feel like there's no place for you
For women of colour there can sometimes be cultural barriers that might stop you from joining. However, I think a lot of the issues are around a lack of representation at all the levels.
If you don't see someone that looks like you, it's hard to be encouraged to join that sport.
As well as the Black Girls Ruck podcast, we also have an invitational team. We go to tournaments and play. It’s really exciting. We’re a team formed of women of colour.
The aim for that is for us to like go to different tournaments and bring positive vibes. It’s a sisterhood.
It also shows that black people can play rugby. There's a space for us within the sport.
I’m non-binary. I did a video with England Rugby about Black Girls Ruck. I mentioned I was non-binary and I got some really bad personal comments.
I’ve got a thick skin now, but at the time I was really upset.
My main advice to clubs and coaches is to be open to everyone and understand them. Don’t make sweeping judgements.
I'm very happy to talk about my experiences as my as a non-binary person to my coach. However, some people might not be and that's okay.
Have a person to talk to at the club, if a coach, player or anyone has questions.
If you are confused, don't act like it in front of that person, especially if you don't know their boundaries.
Find someone safe at the club to have an open conversation with. Keep it confidential and be open to education.
I worry that we live in a society where people are scared to ask questions and to make mistakes. No one was born with all the answers.”
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