Following the Women's Rugby World Cup and its record-breaking viewer statistics, icons of the sport have been increasingly vocal about the confidence their rugby has instilled. In an O2 interview, Red Rose prop, Sarah Bern, said that rugby helped her 'learn to love her body', creating an empowering space where every shape and size is both needed, and welcome. She had initially played back positions, and felt daunted by the move to playing prop; Bern said, "My strength and power became a super-strength."
In a society where girls and women are still vastly expected to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, communities as diverse as rugby teams are incredibly important. Building support networks between players who may be physically very different, brought together by a love for the sport, encourages players to re-evaluate their appearances in positive ways.
Salisbury U18s player, Jessica Simpson, described rugby as being "for anyone", explaining that it creates a place for players of any size. The tighthead prop, who has been playing for four years, said she has definitely seen a difference in her confidence levels throughout her involvement in the sport.
Salisbury rugby club works in close partnership with Star* and their campaign, 'Your Body Your Game', which highlights the '61% of teenage girls [that] cited a "lack of confidence" The initiative focuses on the positive impacts sport can have on mental health and self-esteem, promising that "your body is amazing, and it's built for rugby".
Salisbury RFC's dedicated coaches, wonderful players, and collaboration with the Star Scheme make it a highly inclusive club to belong to, a value the club prides itself on. Diversity and individuality is absolutely welcomed, creating a club-wide community of people who love rugby, and are learning to love themselves as a result.
Author
Molly Weller