Rugby For All
We are a collection of individuals across the globe and across sport who believe that rugby is a sport for all, no matter your size, shape, ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.
We choose to lead our communities with courage and integrity toward a vision of rugby as a truly inclusive, welcoming sport that values everybody, every body, and the humanity of our players.
Sign the ongoing petition at Change.org. (approaching 25,000 signatures)
Show your support for inclusion with “Keep Rugby Inclusive” and “Rugby For All” merch. All proceeds go to efforts that help keep rugby for all.
TAKE ACTION
Sign the petition or open letter:
International Athletes (i.e. capped for your country or in your national team pool) as the folks who will be forced to play under these guidelines, please sign the International Athlete Open Letter stating your opposition to the ban.
Non-International Athletes, please sign this Change.org petition to let World Rugby know that trans athletes are welcome in our communities.
Create a club statement:
Join clubs and orgs around the world in creating a statement affirming that trans athletes belong in rugby and committing to never challenging a player’s gender identity. See our IG for examples. Thank you to the clubs who have led the way <3
Add a Rugby For All graphic to your club jersey:
Show your support every match day. Email us at rugbyforall.co@gmail.com and we’d be happy to share our files for free.
Join the social media campaign:
Join Athlete Ally and Rugby For All in speaking up for inclusion.
Sport a Rugby For All shirt to show what we've always known - that rugby is a sport for everybody and every body. (Link to shirts here.)
Add your voice to the conversation. Tag us on social media or send a pic of you in your shirt to rugbyforall.co@gmail.com and why you choose to wear it. We'll feature our favs on social media.
100% of proceeds will go toward keeping rugby safe, fair, and accessible for anyone who wants to play.
Facebook: @RugbyForAll.co
Instagram: @RugbyForAll.co
Twitter: @RugbyForAll
Learn More
It’s ok not to know what to think. But it’s not ok if we don’t try to understand. We hope our resource page can spark conversation on how we can all help make rugby a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone.
UPDATE (7.29.22): The RFU Council voted to ban trans women from rugby with 33 in favour, 26 against, and 2 abstaining.
We condemn this ban. It is not based on conclusive evidence at their own admittance, does not consider that trans women have safely played for 20-plus years, goes against rugby values, and stands to harm an already vulnerable population.
We urge England Rugby to correct this action and keep Rugby For All.
UPDATE (7.22.22): The RFU Council plans to vote on whether it should adopt a ban against transgender women in rugby. This ban is not based on evidence and is discriminatory and harmful.
It goes against rugby values and will encourage gender policing, which will harm ALL women, especially Black and brown players.
We call on the RFU to vote against the ban.
Action items: 1) Share our IG slides and speak out, 2) contact your local RFU Council person to urge them to vote no on the ban, 3) contact your local IGR team to sign the petition.
UPDATE (11.16.21) : The IOC has released an updated “Framework for Fairness, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination of the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations” based on 10 key principles: Inclusion, Prevention of Harm, Non-Discrimination, Fairness, No Presumption of Advantage, Evidence-Based Approach, Primacy of Health and Bodily Autonomy, Stakeholder-Centred Approach, Right to Privacy, and Periodic Reviews.
World Rugby’s discriminatory ban on trans athletes is in direct violation of the IOC Guidelines and we call on them to review and reconsider their policy.
UPDATE (3.31.21): England Rugby has proposed that trans women over 170 cm (5’7”) or over 90 kgs (198 lb) should be assessed by a coach to determine if they are a “safety risk” to others. Only assessing trans women when many cis women fall outside these arbitrary numbers is anti-trans and discriminatory. Go here to give RFU direct feedback before April 15.
Go to @rugbyforall.co on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to join the social media campaign.
UPDATE (10.9.20): World Rugby put out a press release stating that they had quietly approved their proposed transgender policy, despite telling all Member Unions that there would be a Council vote in November.
World Rugby is the first international sport to implement a strict ban of trans athletes, making the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand the first openly anti-trans world sporting event.
This goes against the core values of the global rugby community - Integrity, Passion, Discipline, Solidarity, and Respect. Let World Rugby know that this discriminatory policy is not rugby and we should keep #RugbyForAll.
