Would you let your daughter play Rugby?

[queenqueenqueen]

My daughter goes along for training sessions with her brother and enjoys them. There are some girls there but tbh not many. No one has said anything about my daughter doing it but have lost count of the amount of "there's no way I'd let my daughter do this" or "my daughter wouldn't do it , she's a princess" comments. They haven't really bothered me but today for some reason they have. I don't know, almost as if it was being inferred I didn't care about her because I was letting her join in with such a "rough sport"

I might understand people's objections due to the risks of the game, but not because she's a girl, and it's just training sessions for now.
Why would we not let our children do something they enjoy and doesn't hurt them or anyone else?

My uncle died whilst playing rugby so my gut reaction is no. But that being said if you’re happy for your son to play I can’t see why you wouldn’t let your daughter

I don't want either of my children to play rugby. It's too risky. I have a boy and a girl.
For the same reason I don't want them to do trampolining either.

We have boys and girls in the u6 and u7 teams. They separate off to girls only when they start contact. We have girls in our rugby club who now play for England. We have well established girls teams. So if your DD wants to play then let her

I wouldn't encourage my son or daughter to play rugby but if they insisted then I would. All rugby players I know are women, so gender is irrelevant to me.

My daughter started playing aged 7 as she got bored watching her brothers. She joined the u15s girls team aged 12 (which was allowed back then) and hasn't looked back - we were lucky that our club had a really good girls squad as did the County. She's now playing in the Allianz Premiership and played for England U20s. She's incredibly strong and fit and has had her fair share of people assuming she's a lesbian or being told she shouldn't be playing such a rough game. Injury levels probably similar to gymnastics or football or ice skating or running or anything physical tbh.

As long as she is still playing and enjoying it then she gets my full support backed up with a huge dose of pride.

The minute it stops being enjoyable and she doesn't want to play anymore she will do so with my full support backed up with a huge dose of pride.

A women's only team perhaps, depending on the age of the others, and perhaps the DDs build.

(I have no women/girls in my family of school age, all those are boys, so my answer is hypothetical).

Of course. She is a girl who will grow up to be a woman, not a bloody fairy princess.

This princess (well, minor royal but still) plays: www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014032417715/zara-phillips-baby-mia-rugby/

Oops, wrong link
www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2020092597888/mike-tindall-daughter-mia-reaches-new-milestone/

Yes. Perhaps because I played for a couple of years at secondary.

I wouldn’t let my daughter play whilst Rugby England allows biological men to play in women’s teams.

My DD played in primary school (up to year 6) when it was non contact. At her school there were more girls than boys at the after school club!

Absolutely. I play myself! 🤷🏽‍♀️

No but I wouldn't let my son either.

The risk of brain injury is too high. Long term issues too like dementia

Yes! One of my daughter's does & plays for a local club & her county & loves it!

The girls are all shapes & sizes & fitness levels but once it gets to county level & above it is taken very seriously!

Yes, it’s great for fitness and at the moment she loves it.

Depends how old she is and if it’s a mixed group. Secondary age then girls only.

My DD does play rugby. She’s in an U18 side and they play full contact in a girls’ league. She loves it, as does my cousin’s DD.

Rugby England have stopped single sex provision for 12+ year olds and allow biological men to play in women's community leagues of they believe they are a woman. This is despite their world ruling body banning it in professional leagues because the risk of serious injury to women increases by 20-30% even after testosterone suppression.

I would not risk my daughter's safety.

Dd plays women's rugby, not for the faint hearted (I can't watch) but she loves it. She plays hooker.

I could have written this ^ (though she usually plays flanker )

My dd is an adult, so it isn't up to her what she plays, but I LOVE the sense of family she gets from it I love the coaching skills she has gained. I love that she has a passion. I love she has so many great friends through the game. I love the fact that it is SO inclusive and people of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels get out there and show that 'this girl can'.
Personally I'd prefer she played football like her sister, where there is less impact on her collarbone, but quite frankly I'd cringe at the 'princess' comment.

My daughter plays regularly now and has doe since she was little. Thoroughly enjoys it and has built a solid support network as a result. I also think it has been really good for her confidence. Clubs are quite safety orientated so training is age appropriate and well balanced. Go for it.

Lots of very uninformed comments on here who aren’t even actively involved in a rugby community. Disappointing really.

@RUOKHUN

Lots of very uninformed comments on here who aren’t even actively involved in a rugby community. Disappointing really.

Which ones?

Rugby is one of the most important parts of my life. I have never experienced acceptance like it. I once wrote an essay for job interview on how rugby has changed my life - I can send it to you if you'd like but I didn't get the job. I would absolutely allow/encourage every person I know to play rugby.