LET THE GIRLS PLAY.

ashleighrugby
Sep 2, 2021
2 min read

Playing rugby in my school ages was one of the most influential decisions I've ever made. I've grown to find my feet and also find something I love so, so much. I've said it so many times, and I'll say it again. Playing rugby in PE lessons at school, playing rugby at school in general, made my emotional wellbeing and also my physical state improve massively.

However, many schools do not offer the option of girls rugby in their schools in either the PE curriculum or the enrichment activities. And, to be honest, I have no idea why this STILL happens in 2021.

Many girls, like myself, may have struggled to settle into school for various reasons, for example, feeling like they don't 'fit in'. And, rugby might give them help with that. Studies have shown that the decrease in feeling conscious of their weight when they aren't in a rugby environment and when they are in a rugby environment is massive.

Yet, despite the studies, the government still refuses to change the curriculums and this is, honestly, not at all surprising.

So, this is where we as supporters of girl's and women's rugby come in. Rachael Burford alongside the Girls Rugby Club has started a petition to get this changed. It was written as an open letter to the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE, and has been signed by 31 members of the GRC advisory board.

The main outline of the letter was to address the fact that we shouldn't be pushing the women's rugby players of our future to drive away from rugby in school, rather encourage it, to make them feel EQUAL.

The GRC XV has released a brilliant and insightful video to 'Let the girls play' - here's the video, watch for yourself what it means to them.

As you can see, many of the girls say that they don't play rugby in school because it's not allowed, or it's the teacher's lack of training that holds them back.

It should never be this way. Join me and thousands of others in a petition to let the girls play.

Sign the petition now!:https://chng.it/zXtB7SZXY6

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