Women’s rugby: “Things are slow, but it’s moving forward,” say these Bordeaux rugby women

On Tuesday, over 22,000 seats had already been bought for the “crunch”, France – England, which must decide between the two countries about victory in the tournament for 6 nations for women. It will be Saturday at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux at 17.45. A visibility that can move the lines for women’s rugby, still amateur, even at the highest level. In any case, this is what those participating in Bordeaux are hoping for.

“I hope it will start a dynamic”

A women’s rugby match at an almost packed Chaban-Delmas stadium will be unheard of. Then on the side of the lionesses of Stade Bordelais, we hope that this visibility will have consequences for all women’s rugby. “It is true that today we are very far from a full stadium,” recognizes Bordeaux scrum-half Margaux Ducès, and her teammate Louise Lavabre in the centre, to complete: “We had already seen several Elite matches (ed. note: the first division of women’s rugby) have managed to break records, to reach 6,000, 7,000 people, so that’s great progress and I hope it will kick off a dynamic.”

For today, Women’s rugby is largely amateur. Only international matches are paid for by the French Rugby Union, the others have to combine their sports career and a job on the side or their studies. “But it’s the same rhythm as professional players with training in the middle of the day and in the evening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and games at the weekend.” explains Margaux Ducès, “So sometimes players are late because they get off work, are in traffic or they have to leave early.”

Before we get to the professionalization of players who would be full-time athletes, “There is still a long way to go” thinks Louise Lavabre, “but it’s happening slowly, but it’s moving forward.” This strong visibility with the course of the French women’s XV in the 6 Nations Tournament could help and attract more funding to women’s rugby.

An evolution that also involves the youngest

It was by coaching his own children in the Floirac rugby club Morad El Arf wanted to develop training for girls. “I coached my son and I have three daughters who all play rugby,” explains the coach, “and I said to myself “but why should they be half recognized?” and recognition also implies the seriousness of the training we offer them. Morad El Arf then decided to develop the women’s section of the Floirac club “Try to go beyond this practice where no one wants to train the girls so we do entertainment, I refuse.” He therefore stood up real sports training for these players.

For several years, he has noticed that things are moving forward. More and more clubs offer women’s sections and there are more and more girls. Despite everything, there are still certain views that need to be changed. Many rugby women are still told that rugby is for women “that’s not real rugby”. “Today we must change this reading,” says Morad El Arf, “if we expect to see women’s rugby like men’s rugby with big rough tackles we will be disappointed, we are on to something different and it is a beautiful game. Also, more and more fans are telling me they prefer women’s rugby because the players offer something different by bypass or take up space.” Prejudice that also the lionesses in Stade Bordelais suffered. “You just have to come and see the players on the pitch, we don’t have much to envy the boys,” replies Margaux Ducès.

So this Saturday at Stade Chaban-Delmas, the Lionesses will be in the stands to cheer on France’s XV who have many of their teammates in their ranks, six starters in total.