It’s official: the Rugby World Cup is coming to York
So it’s official – the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is coming to York LNER Community Stadium.
Here at York RI Women, we’ve had the privilege of watching our sport grow from a small and niche network of teams to Twickenham being packed out on primetime television. When the team was established, the common thought was that women didn’t play rugby. Getting muddy and bruised wasn’t ladylike behaviour – rugby was simply a boy’s game.
We’ve worked hard for years to prove this wrong. Gratefully, we’ve had the support of our club throughout – but to this day, we hear of women’s teams playing in clubs run by all-male committees, who believe a woman’s place is on the side of the pitch. We have stood up against blatant misogyny across the sport. We’ve cancelled matches because not enough refs will work Sundays. We’ve travelled to clubs and marched past pristine, sacred first team pitches to play on a waterlogged field at the back.
More than anything, we’ve endured cocked eyebrows and disbelief – you play rugby?
You know the conversation – any women’s rugby player has had it. Yes, we play with the same rules. No, not touch, no, not tag – we tackle each other and everything. Some of us are LGBTQ+, although that’s none of your business. Yes, some of us do break nails. But we bravely manage to cope.
In truth, rugby is one of the best sports for women to play. We prioritise speed and strength and courage over looks. Rugby is one of the few sports where people of any body type can flourish. There is no such thing as too short or tall, too light or too heavy. Whatever your physique, there is a place on pitch for you.
On top of that, we are one of the most inclusive and accepting environments going. LGBTQ+ women have always been a part of our sport, and when bigotry does rear its head it is rarely tolerated. With the rise of IGR inclusive leagues, rugby clubs are rapidly becoming some of the most diverse and welcoming environments going.
Sport is for girls. Rugby is for girls. The 2025 Women’s World Cup coming to York - and stadiums across England – should prove this once and for all.
Want to find out for yourself? Join us for training – every Tuesday from 7pm at York RI RUFC. We’ll be the muddy ones.
