Latest news with #HerGameToo
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 set to be most viewed in history
New research reveals that 60% of fans believe that women's rugby is in need of being shown in more public venues This year's Women's Rugby World Cup is set to smash records and be the most-viewed women's rugby event in history. New research reveals that 60% of fans believe that women's rugby is in need of being shown in more public venues. And now almost 1,000 pubs and bars across the UK have signed up to Asahi Super Dry's Pub Pledge – a nationwide commitment to support and screen the Women's Rugby World Cup. To mark the milestone, world rugby icon, Ellie Kildunne, has joined forces with fan collective Set Piece Social to launch The Asahi Open Arms – a vibrant, fan-first venue in the heart of Shoreditch, London. Designed to reimagine the modern matchday pub, it sets a new benchmark for how women's rugby can be enjoyed: inclusive, community-led, and full of culture. New research commissioned with Her Game Too, the award-winning campaign tackling sexism in sport, and in collaboration with the Stonegate Group, reveals the barriers fans face in accessing women's sport in pubs. According to the research, 60% of fans believe that women's rugby is in need of being shown more in public venues, with a further 63% claiming they would be more likely to visit a pub more regularly if they knew it showed women's sport. Over a third (40%) even admit they've never seen women's rugby shown at a pub before. Ellie Kildunne, Asahi Super Dry Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Ambassador, said: 'I'm so proud to be involved in this campaign which is about lasting change – making women's rugby not just visible, but part of pub culture for the future. "Opening The Asahi Open Arms is a huge moment - as we focus on our final days of preparation, knowing there is a space where fans can come together, support teams, and be part of something bigger – is truly exciting. It's how matchdays should feel.' Rob Hobart , Marketing Director at Asahi UK, added: 'Pubs are the beating heart of British sport. From major chains to local independents, publicans are uniting behind this pledge – showing just how strong the appetite is for women's rugby. The Asahi Open Arms shows what's possible. This isn't just about screenings – it's about setting a new standard for fan experience and building a more inclusive rugby culture.' Naomi Fitzgibbons, Co-Founder of Set Piece Social, said: 'Our mission at Set Piece Social is to create spaces where fans can feel welcome and connect with each other. With the growing excitement around women's sports, partnering with Asahi Super Dry is a natural fit. As the Red Roses push boundaries on the field, the Asahi Open Arms invites all fans to enjoy a diverse and inclusive matchday experience for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.' To help fans find their nearest participating venue, Asahi Super Dry has partnered with Fanzo to launch a dedicated Bar Finder App , making it easier than ever to discover where to watch the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 – and be part of the movement.
New York Times
07-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
All 36 clubs in Ligue 1 and 2 will wear jerseys campaigning for better treatment of female fans
All 36 teams in Ligue 1 and 2 will be wearing jerseys with a difference this weekend. To mark International Women's Day on March 8, all their shirts worn in France's top two male divisions will have a phrase on their back: 'WO=MAN' The phrase is designed to send a message of equality and inclusion for female supporters. It is part of a wider campaign being run by Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which organises France's professional football leagues, and its partners to make stadiums 'safe and respectful' for everyone. Advertisement One of LFP's three partner organisations for the campaign is Her Game Too France, whose president, Anoush Morel, told The Athletic: 'With creating a message of unity, we wanted it (the shirts) to be positive to remind people that women are in stadiums. They are watching football. The print on the shirt hopefully means that women and little girls feel included in the game.' After the weekend the jerseys will be auctioned off on the MatchWornShirt platform, with all profits donated to the three partner associations — the other two are Foundation pour le Sport Inclusif and Colosse aux pieds d'Argile — to help fight sexism and sexual violence in football. Her Game Too is a campaign run by fans to raise awareness of sexism in sport and was founded in 2021 in the United Kingdom. Her Game Too France followed in 2022. In partnership with LFP, they have delivered workshops to all 36 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 teams. The workshops can be for players, fans or club staff and comprise presentations and education about what sexism is, what it looks like, and how it is punishable. Morel said: 'We want to engage in conversation. At the end, sometimes we have players come up to us and thank us. They say, 'I want my daughter to be able to go into the stadium and be safe, so thank you for what you are doing'.' GO DEEPER Sexism, abuse and harassment: The experience of female fans at matches A method to report sexist incidents has been introduced across France with QR codes in women's toilets. A number of clubs have also assigned a staff member to address sexist incidents on matchdays. As well as working with Ligue 1 clubs via its partnership with the LFP, Her Game too France is directly partnered with 15 clubs in Ligue 2 and one in the Championnat National (the French third tier). Each club has a player ambassador who works with the advocates from Her Game Too France to help improve the stadium environment for female fans. This weekend is the first time all the players will wear the same message on the back of their shirts for International Women's Day, though in 2024 Saint-Etienne and AJ Auxerre wore shirts with the Her Game Too logo on them and #HerGameToo on them. Morel says clubs in France are lagging behind the United Kingdom in terms of social self-regulation, though emphasised that there is still work to be done to address sexism in football in both countries. Advertisement New research commissioned by Kick It Out and published earlier this month, showed that in the United Kingdom over half (52 per cent) of women have experienced or witnessed sexist behaviour or language on matchdays. Furthermore, 85 per cent of those who had experienced or witnessed sexism or misogyny said they had never reported this abuse, with many saying it was because they didn't think it would be taken seriously or make a difference. GO DEEPER The Rubiales-Hermoso court case revealed so much - and the story is not complete yet
