Women's rugby, the covid-19 pandemic and the androcentric culture in the UK (Rugby femenino, la pandemia del Covid-19 y la cultura andocéntrica en GB)

Aim: This research project was undertaken to understand the experiences of British elite women’s rugby players during the COVID-19 pandemic, who were exposed to a gender hierarchy and androcentric culture. Context: England Rugby introduced law variations into the Women’s Premier 15s in place of the COVID-19 testing programme provided for the equivalent men’s league. The women had to endure several match cancellations, schedule and format changes to international tournaments, and their 2019-2020 league being declared null and void. The men’s game was constantly prioritised over the women’s by their clubs and the media. Data collection and analysis: Through online semi-structured interviews with 11 current elite women’s rugby players (July 2021), and posterior thematic analysis (NVivo12), a clear consensus emerged that the women had always experienced an androcentric culture in rugby and that this was only exacerbated during the pandemic. They referred to disparities in funding, facilities, equipment, training, resources, medical care, and media coverage. Interpretation: This research demonstrates that a patriarchal gender hierarchy is still prevalent, and it was reinforced during the pandemic, solidifying women’s position as “the other” in English rugby. Recommendations: To challenge this narrative as we emerge out of the pandemic, a significant investment into women’s rugby is now required. To achieve equality of opportunity, funding and exposure within rugby the women’s game must be professionalised. Furthermore, the participants overwhelmingly identified that an increase in media exposure and coverage is the most realistic and achievable way to start bridging the gender gap in rugby.