World Rugby have confirmed that they will be rebranding their Sevens and XV’s Rugby World Cup competitions as to take gender away from their titles.
They will be starting their new initiative in 2021 when the women’s designation will no longer be included in the Women’s Rugby World Cup and will see the tournament in New Zealand simply named Rugby World Cup 2021.
The move sees World Rugby become the first
major sporting federation to take action in this department and is to attempt
to ensure equal brand perspective no matter on whether there are men or women
involved.
Speaking on the announcement World Rugby
chairman Bill Beaumont is glad that the sport is taking steps in the right
direction.
“This announcement demonstrates our ongoing and unwavering commitment to advancing women in rugby both on and off the field in line with our ambitious strategic plan. Unintentional gender bias in sport is an ongoing issue. As a global sporting federation, we need to be leading from the front on the issue of equality. By adopting gender balance in the naming of men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup competitions, we are setting new standards in equality in rugby,” he said.
The announcement follows on from World
Rugby’s strategic plan, ‘Accelerating the Global Development of Women in Rugby
2017-2025’, to create gender balance in all levels of rugby.
These are also backed up by the unveiling
of World Rugby’s ‘Women in Rugby’ and ‘Try and Stop Us’ which has seen member
unions drive for more growth and investment in the women’s game.
