We collaborated with Twitter to get 84 players from all the participating teams verified – just like the men would be – consequently raising their profile.
Having found that female players accounted for just 3% of the 14,916 rugby-related Wikipedia biographies, we partnered with Wikipedia to write the history of 124 players, writing 50,000 words. We then alerted the media, so they knew where to find factually correct sources, driving coverage and visibility of the women’s game.
We worked with current and ex-players as ambassadors and conducted media interviews to raise awareness of these collaborations and build excitement for the 2021 Championship.
We hosted a series of Facebook and Instagram Lives on Guinness’s channels, home to 6.5 million followers, using high profile personalities to bring new allies to the sport.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN RUGBY
There are so many fantastic inclusive groups and teams in rugby across the UK. Find out more about some their stories and share yours with us by sending a direct message with Guinness GB on Instagram or Facebook:
King’s Cross Steelers
The Kings Cross Steelers are the world’s first gay rugby club. The London based team, founded in 1995, sparked the beginning of a much larger gay-inclusive movement, which to date includes 60 clubs around the world..
Photo Credit: @laraoliviamiller
Emerald Warriors
Members of the International Gay Rugby Association and Board, the Emerald Warriors RFC was formed in August 2003 to provide an open, inclusive and safe environment to watch, play and enjoy rugby. The club offers the opportunity to play competitive rugby in teams in both Ireland and the international stage.
OUR PARTNER INITIATIVES
Find out more about the work our partners in GB are doing
England Rugby
Scottish Rugby
Welsh Rugby
TACKLING DISCRIMINATION
We are also working with our partners to support in tackling discrimination when it does happen, by…
Working with Twitter as a collective community to ensure that hateful conduct and abusive behaviour put out on the platform around rugby are tackled swiftly with a zero-tolerance approach
Supporting the RFU’s launch of a dedicated matchday hotline in stadiums, for fans to report discrimination safely if it does happen
Working with Scottish Rugby and WRU to promote and support their matchday initiatives for fans to report discrimination safely if it does happen
Ensuring our social community management team, responsible for our owned social channels, are given the tools to deal with discrimination if we see it happen
If you see or hear anything that doesn’t sit right at a stadium please report it to the union by:
England rugby – text HELP to 60886
Scottish Rugby – report it to your closest steward
Welsh Rugby – report it to your closest steward
Drinkawaste 