Resolutions: Let’s make coaching more inclusive in 2024
Let's make 2024 the most inclusive year yet for female rugby players
The New Year approaches. We are drawing closer to the next women’s rugby world cup. Has coaching and rugby clubs become more inclusive to women since the last tournament?
Women’s rugby is growing. Fast. A report from World Rugby shows an increase in players since 2022. The number of adult women playing the sport has increased by 37%.
World Rugby also state that closing the gender gap between the numbers of male and female participants would mean the amount of women playing rugby would rise by 2.3 million.
How can coaches and clubs help? Here are three resolutions we can all can have for 2024 to make it the most inclusive year yet for female rugby players.
BE CONSCIOUS OF THE UNSEEN WORKLOAD
When coaching, meeting players where they are is a good start to a session, regardless of who you’re coaching. Check in with players, ask how their day was, see how the team is performing in the warm up and adjust your session accordingly.
When coaching adult women players, it’s important to acknowledge additional barriers that may prevent them from training and affect them during the session.
Prior to the pandemic women were doing three times more domestic labour than men. This increased during COVID.
As coaches, we can’t completely solve mental and physical labour in homes and create global gender equity. However, we can be understanding of the stresses that may affect female participants.
Check in with players as they arrive. Give them time to chat with their teammates. Players come to rugby to play sport but to also connect with other people. Don’t deny people the social opportunity training gives them.
Be understanding if players can’t attend training or drop out last minute. If someone is feeling strained or suddenly can’t attend training, one of the worst things a coach can do is add to that by making people feel bad for not training.
Adding pressure to attend is likely to make people feel guilty. Instead of motivating, it may have the opposite effect.
Instead, recognise that players have lives outside of rugby that aren’t always controllable. There may be a lack of childcare, deadlines at work or other instances when players can’t train.
Welcome players back when they return. Instead of chastising them, support them.
ACKNOWLEDGE RESEARCH IS ONGOING
The phrase ‘women aren’t small men’ is often used in science and sports science. For too long, the research that has been conducted on men has been applied to women. This has happened in rugby.
It is acknowledged that there has been a lack of research within women’s rugby. This has potential implications for training. I’m not suggesting that coaches abandon any practices and methods they have. However, recognising the research gap is the first step.
Many female rugby players will start playing later than their male counterparts. Some will find rugby in high school, university or later in life. This means many are beginning or early in their rugby journey.
Coaches can be more inclusive by using less rugby jargon. Be conscious of the language used when coaching. Using terminology that players may not be familiar with, without explanation, could alienate your team.
MAKE SPACES WELCOMING
Rugby clubs have been traditionally male-dominated spaces. This means there’s often a lack of women’s rugby on display. Whether it’s photos, posters or memorabillia, a rugby clubhouse is an opportunity to celebrate all teams.
This might mean that there has to be a deliberate effort to gather and display items that proudly shout about a club’s female rugby teams.
Making a clubhouse demonstrate pride in this way doesn’t have to be limited to the bar. Clubs can also decorate their changing rooms. Ask players what they would like added. Teams can help to renovate. Often a men’s 1XV team will have a designated changing space that features colourful walls or pictures. What would a changing room looked like if your women’s 1XV decorated it?
Stocking free period products can also make a big difference. Whether you store them in your first aid bag, have them in the clubhouse toilets or both, it’s a seemingly simple act that can have a large impact.
Having them available means any vistor or club member can use them if they need. No one wants to be caught without any period products. Having them visible will also state that your club is inclusive and welcoming.
COMMITTING TOGETHER
These are just three ways to help make rugby clubs and training sessions more inclusive for any female visitor. The 2025 World Cup is fast approaching, let’s together commit to making 2024 the most inclusive year yet for rugby.