World Rugby Seals Womens Sport Partnership
The world governing body for rugby union World Rugby and the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport have partnered to encourage global sports leaders to get behind the gender equality in sport movement.
The UK-based IWG is a global network which champions and supports women’s sport, aligning with the ambitions of the Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand, which will take place in October and November 2022.
Following the of tournament, the eighth IWG World Conference on Women & Sport will take place from 14th to 17th November, with hundreds of global sports leaders gathering in Auckland and online to work together to design and launch real practical solutions for the advancement of women’s sport.
The two organisations have pledged to work together over the next four years. The collaboration will connect the next two women’s Rugby World Cups in Aotearoa New Zealand and 2025 in England with the next two IWG World Conferences on Women & Sport in 2022 and 2026 in the UK.
World Rugby Director of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox, said, “World Rugby is actively working to reset the dial for women and girls in rugby across the globe, across every rugby region. Guided by an impactful plan, we are creating a global movement – everyone is welcome, and everyone will have their part to play.
“As part of our commitment, we are delighted to be entering a strategic relationship with the International Working Group on Women & Sport, who are the standard bearer for the advancement of women in sport.
“With that in mind, we are supporting our Executive Leadership Scholars and other female leaders across our unions to stay in New Zealand after Rugby World Cup this year to access the world’s best strategic thinking and practical solutions at the IWG World Conference.”
IWG Aotearoa New Zealand Secretary General Rachel Froggatt added, “We are thrilled to be staging the ultimate ‘double header’ for women’s sport in Aotearoa New Zealand this year, by connecting Rugby World Cup – a fantastic showcase for female athletes, coaches and administrators – with the IWG World Conference, the world’s largest gathering to advance positive change within the system.
“World Rugby is a long-time signatory to the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, and it’s fantastic to be strengthening this relationship and assisting them on their journey toward gender equality in rugby. We’re confident this will lead to a similar strengthening of relationships our other signatories, including the International Federations preparing to join us in Aotearoa New Zealand in November.”
