We still care :)

The world of sport is moving quickly – especially the development of the women’s game of rugby. In the media recently, we’ve had campaigning against the use of female models in promoting the Irish rugby kits, to showing the world that we care about women's rugby. We’re empowering and changing hundreds and thousands of rugby players lives, young and old, men and women.

Let's start by mentioning the #icare campaign, which is really my main focus here. As I’m sure many of you are aware, the women’s six nations was postponed, and sky sports posted a photo of this to alert fans that this was happening. Despite this campaign sparking many months ago now, misogyny still stands prevalent and so needs to be spoken about again to bring people's attention to it.

Firstly, I’ll begin by saying we do care. 2.7 million female rugby players care, and that’s not even getting started on the millions of friends, family and supporters of these players who also care. Secondly, not only does women's rugby have millions of players and supporters all around the globe, but it’s growing faster than men’s rugby, and is a main reason why rugby as a sport is growing at the rate it is.

I’m not here to bring people down and bore them with the facts they should already know. I’m here to shed a light on the opportunity that this campaign has brought and the way we can change the perception on women’s rugby for years and years to come.

We need the backing of the media to help change the perception of boys all around the world – to teach them that girls play sports, and we’re pretty good at it too! We need the support of millions of people to change the stereotype that girl's rugby isn’t good to watch. Truth is, women’s rugby is equally as good as the men’s in my opinion, if not better.

Rachael Burford is doing an amazing job in promoting women’s rugby, and she’s changing the game as time goes on. Her and her team have created an amazing platform, full of opportunities and things to enjoy, all whilst being a rugby player for Harlequins, an Allianz Premier 15's champion! Another notable mentionable woman who’s doing a great job in developing women’s rugby is Stef Evans, a Canadian rugby player who’s currently playing for Bristol Bears, and is the founder of the well-known rugby brand Ruggette RFC. Stef was actually one of the first to spark the #icare campaign, and has continued showing the world that she cares since then.

I ask you now, check out the Girls Rugby Club Instagram, visit the women's six nations pages, even check out the small creators that play rugby – every action you make counts toward making women’s rugby better known and to help change the minds of those misogynistic men in the comments section.

And to all the young girls out there reading this – don’t give up on your dreams because someone told you that you weren’t good enough. You are good enough, and always will be. Believe in yourself and help make a change.

We care about women’s rugby, and will never stop.