Trailblazing Women in the Sport
When the landmark Title IX legislation was passed in the United States in 1972, it opened the doors for women’s sports to flourish at the collegiate level. One such pioneer who experienced this transformative shift was Nancy Lieberman, a basketball legend who became the first female athlete to receive a full scholarship to Old Dominion University.
Lieberman recalls being “completely oblivious” to the significance of Title IX at the time, as she simply focused on honing her skills and chasing her athletic dreams. “As a teenager, I took it for granted that if I was good enough, I could get a college scholarship. I didn’t even realize at the time that it was hardly something to take for granted,” she reflects.
Similarly, the world of women’s rugby was undergoing its own grassroots revolution in the decades following Title IX. Across the United States, women were banding together to form teams and compete, often in the face of limited resources and societal skepticism. The Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club, for example, announced the formation of a women’s team in the 1970s, as evidenced by the vintage newsletters “The Tube and the Pitch” that captured the bawdy, spirited nature of these early women’s rugby communities.
These pioneers were forging a path where none had existed before, driven by a shared passion for the sport and a determination to stake their claim on the pitch. Their trailblazing efforts laid the foundation for the rapid growth and increasing visibility of women’s rugby in the decades that followed.
Contributions to the Game
As the women’s rugby movement gained momentum, pioneering players, coaches, and administrators began to make invaluable contributions to the sport’s development. From driving rule changes to implementing innovative training methodologies, these visionaries were shaping the future of the game.
One such individual is Jackie Finlan, who dove into rugby journalism in the early 2000s after playing for the University of Arizona and various club teams. Finlan’s transition to the media side of the game was serendipitous, as she seized an opportunity to write for Rugby Magazine, eventually launching her own dedicated women’s rugby platform, The Rugby Breakdown, in 2016.
Finlan’s dual roles as a player and journalist have given her a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the women’s game. “I do like to focus on the achievements of women in rugby – and I fall embarrassingly short of acknowledging all of them – and carefully select where I inject criticism,” she explains, navigating the delicate balance of being both a fan and a critical reporter.
Alongside Finlan, Wendy Young has also been a trailblazer in women’s rugby journalism. Young’s passion for the sport led her to start blogging about the University of Oklahoma team in 2006, eventually rebranding to the widely recognized “Your Scrumhalf Connection” in 2008. As one of the earliest dedicated women’s rugby media voices in the United States, Young has been instrumental in amplifying the stories and accomplishments of female players, coaches, and administrators.
“Getting information from teams can be a struggle, either they have an awesome website, great social media or it’s incredibly outdated. I’d love a world where all teams had the resources and understanding that having an online presence is critical to their success,” Young reflects, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable visibility for the women’s game.
Advancing Gender Equity
While the pioneers of women’s rugby have made significant strides in establishing the sport, the journey towards true gender equity continues. Barriers such as funding disparities, workplace discrimination, and persistent societal perceptions have long hindered the growth and recognition of the women’s game.
Sheryl Swoopes, a pioneering basketball player, serves as a powerful example of the challenges faced by female athletes. Lieberman recounts the impact of Swoopes’ standout performance in the 1993 NCAA tournament, which helped “legitimize us in the eyes of men.” This reflects the uphill battle women have faced in gaining the respect and admiration of their male counterparts, even at the highest levels of competition.
In the world of rugby, women have had to confront similar obstacles. Sydney Copeland, a rising star in the sport, has navigated her own path to success, including the challenge of finding her voice on the field. “Playing as a scrumhalf or flyhalf in 15s has significantly helped her develop confidence in her communication skills,” her story reveals.
Initiatives like the T.J. Cline division, named after Nancy Lieberman’s son, have sought to foster greater inclusivity and equity in sports. By opening up opportunities for boys to participate in her basketball camp, Lieberman demonstrates the power of allyship and the importance of addressing gender biases at the grassroots level.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As the women’s rugby community continues to overcome challenges and make strides, the focus has shifted to inspiring the next generation of players, coaches, and leaders. The pioneers of the sport have become powerful role models, paving the way for young athletes to follow in their footsteps.
For Aberdeenshire RFC, these trailblazing women represent a source of inspiration as the club works to grow its own women’s program. By highlighting the stories of visionaries like Nancy Lieberman, Jackie Finlan, and Wendy Young, the club can foster a sense of empowerment and possibility among aspiring female players.
Moreover, the club’s efforts to engage with the wider community, through initiatives such as youth development programs and community outreach, can help amplify the voices and contributions of women’s rugby pioneers. By sharing these stories and creating opportunities for young athletes to learn from these legends, Aberdeenshire RFC can play a crucial role in inspiring the next generation to reach new heights.
As Sydney Copeland so eloquently states, “Keep having fun, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, and remain open to trying new things.” These words encapsulate the spirit of the women’s rugby pioneers, who have consistently demonstrated the power of resilience, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
By elevating the stories and voices of these remarkable individuals, the rugby community can honor their legacy, challenge existing biases, and pave the way for a future where women’s rugby is celebrated and embraced with the same fervor as the men’s game. The journey towards true gender equity in sports may be ongoing, but the pioneering women of rugby have undoubtedly laid the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.