A male-dominated sport is now one of the most popular women’s sports around the world!
The Boston Banshees are one of the newest professional teams in America for women’s rugby. But where did the sport originate? How did women get to play? It was no easy feat to prove that women can play such a strenuous contact sport, but we persevered and made it happen. Now, about 2.7 million women play rugby worldwide!
As the legend goes, way back in Rugby, England, Mr. William Webb picked up the ball and ran backwards towards the goal line. Lo and behold – rugby was born! According to World Rugby, “In 2009, member unions identified integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect as the defining characteristics of rugby.” This sport was mainly a male-dominated sport until about 1890, when a women’s team attempted to tour in New Zealand.
This team was forced to disperse due to the extreme social unacceptability. This did not stop women from playing completely, though. In secret, they would meet and hold their own practices and matches. The societal issues of the time kept women and girls from participating in any activity that was deemed “unladylike.” They didn’t care!
In 1917, an official match was held for charity at Cardiff Arms Park that featured female teams. After World War II, the view on women drastically turned for the better. The world began to realize that those whom they saw as dainty, porcelain flowers were powerful, strong beings who could handle anything thrown at them. The seeds of rugby were planted, and now the roots have taken hold.
At Edinburgh University, the first union women’s rugby game was played in France. Following this match, the first women’s rugby association was created, known as AFRF. Canada, the U.S., the Netherlands and Spain were the initial countries that embraced women’s rugby. Soon after, both Canada and the Netherlands welcomed non-collegiate rugby clubs.
As time went on, rugby became a big deal around the world. In 1991, the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup was held. Additionally, the Five Nations were introduced in 1999, which is now the Six Nations. In addition to the yearly competitions, rugby was added to the Olympics in 2016.
Now, women’s rugby is a sought-after sport. In the U.S., there is a women’s rugby league known as Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), which enraptures the nation every rugby season. The teams include the Bay Breakers, Chicago Tempest, TC Gemini, New York Exiles, Denver Onyx and of course, our Boston Banshees. These professional teams compete to win the Legacy Cup each season. Our national team, the Women’s Eagles, represents the U.S. in the World Rugby League.
Women’s rugby is more than just a sport. It’s a representation of women’s empowerment, strength and tenacity. This is not a dainty activity. Rugby is rough, ragged and physical. Women’s rugby shows women of all ages that we can.
