Treatment of Women Rugby Players ‘a joke’ – Ward
2nd April 2022 - Senator Barry Ward
The withdrawal of a motion to recognise women’s rugby as part of the senior league is a sad reflection of the IRFU’s commitment to women’s rugby, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Barry Ward was speaking following the news that the Munster Council had withdrawn a motion at its AGM to recognise women’s rugby as part of its senior league.
“Female rugby players in Ireland now have to go abroad to truly challenge themselves or to take up opportunities to play at a professional level. One in three female rugby players in Ireland plays abroad and this is absolutely down to a lack of commitment on the part of the IRFU and the provincial branches in Ireland,” said Senator Ward.
“I attended the Ireland v Wales match in the RDS last weekend as part of the TikTok 6 Nations competition. Although it was not Ireland’s day, the commitment and skill shown was every bit as impressive as that of the men’s team and the level of support, particularly from families at the event, was striking. If the IRFU has sense, it will recognise the potential that comes with women’s rugby as another avenue to involve people in rugby and all the good things that come with it.
“The withdrawal of this motion seeking to inject equality has coincided with April Fools’ Day and has highlighted the disparity of treatment between women’s and men’s rugby. This on-going inequality is neither an April Fools nor funny, and it has to stop.
“The IRFU must recognise the opportunity that is presented by a vibrant women’s game in Ireland and invest in that in every respect,” concluded Senator Ward.
Senator Barry Ward
Dún LaoghaireBarry Ward is the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Justice. A practicing barrister, Barry is originally from Deansgrange. He was…
Related news
New courtrooms required – Ward
Additional courtrooms must be provided for new judicial appointees following the enactment of the Courts Act 2023, according to a…
26th May 202336% reduction in burglaries nationwide since 2019 - Ward
Targeted enforcement and high visibility policing has led to a 36% reduction in burglaries and property-related crime, according to Fine…
26th December 2022People of Ukraine receive top EU human rights prize– Ward
The people of Ukraine, represented by their President, will rightly be the recipients of this year’s European Parliament Sakharov Prize…
20th October 2022