The online world can often be a ground for negativity, and women’s rugby is no stranger to harsh judgment and unwarranted criticism. Yet, in the face of this, some of the world’s best male rugby players are standing in solidarity with the women’s game, proving that rugby transcends gender.

Recently, the Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher, a glib and formidable talent on a rugby field and a dominant force in social media, delivered a rousing message to trolls trying to dismiss women’s rugby. And Maher will not be an afterthought because no one believes that when one section of rugby rises, the others have to fall. This is more than a game—this is a movement. How is this relevant now, you may ask?

Ilona Maher took to social media and posted a video. What does that video depict? Maher is seen in the video, along with the English rugby union players Ben Ryder Youngs and Dan Cole, and there is a text. It reads, “For all the haters who don’t respect women’s rugby, just know your rugby idols do.” The caption also says a lot.

“I always find it funny when people online are so judgmental and rude about women’s rugby. When in actuality some of the best men’s players in the world support the women’s game and want to see it thrive. When one rises, we all rise or something like that,” read the caption. The post is so important, especially because two male rugby legends are advocating for the women’s game, further shutting down trolls.

Over the years women’s rugby has come a long way and has set an international standing to be reckoned with. Just last autumn the England women’s rugby team, who play under the banner Red Roses, claimed their own back-to-back Women’s Six Nations and WXV 1 titles. In the same campaign led by Zoe Aldcroft, the team managed a 20-match winning run which is a testament to their commitment and ability. Such honors remind us of the rising level of competition and talent in women’s rugby, which has challenged antiquated belief systems.

Ilona Maher, an Olympic bronze medalist and the most effective social media ambassador rugby has ever had, is a key figure in expanding the reach of women’s rugby. Maher connects with a wider audience, transcending stereotypes and inspiring women in sports by sharing insights into her training, matches, and personal experiences. While the purpose of her move to the Bristol Bears is to develop her game in the 15s format, it has also resulted in record ticket sales, highlighting the power of her influence.

With such star players in the game and right intiatives, it can garner more popularity. So, let’s learn about one such initiative.

Empowering women’s Rugby through the 2025 global Impact program

World Rugby has recently come up with “Impact Beyond 2025,” a system involving the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in 2025, which will expand the sport’s worldwide reach. The plan is designed to focus on three major issues: heighten the sport’s reputation and increase participation, open the way for careers, and achieve gender equity, and the last one is to empower the capability and expertise. The Rugby Rising Play program is a key component, designed to increase female teenage involvement worldwide.

The program also promotes career growth and gender equity by offering women the necessary learning and job opportunities that will encourage them to participate in rugby. A Women’s Player Learning Portal is one of the projects that will be jointly created with the International Rugby Players Association; it provides players with resources for personal and professional growth.

By 2024 and 2026, six regional Impact Beyond summits will be perfectly designed to further improve the sports infrastructure. The main idea of these summits is to get more local experts involved and thus provide a social network that will connect women’s rugby players worldwide. The idea of Sir Bill Beaumont, the Chairman of World Rugby, is that the 2025 World Cup will be the most influential event, and it will not only be a party but also a prompt for the needed change in the sport.