‘The Rugby World Cup: In Her Words’ exhibition has been launched this week at the World Rugby Museum based at Twickenham Stadium.
The ‘In Her Words’ exhibition explores the history of the eight women’s rugby world cups from the first in Cardiff in 1991 to the most recent in Ireland in 2017. It also looks ahead to the delayed 2021 event, which will take place in New Zealand later this year.
It aims to showcase why the history of women’s rugby world cups has been important for the development of the game.
Moreover, it highlights the progress the women’s game has made since the first World Cup in 1991.
The 2021 Rugby World Cup will held in New Zealand. It will be the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup for women. Credit: Julita Waleskiewicz
It has been curated as a partnership between the World Rugby Museum, Ali Donnelly – the founder of women’s rugby website Scrum Queens, and Dr Lydia Furse, an expert on the history of the game.
“The purpose is really to celebrate the individuals, not just on the pitch but also off the pitch who fought to get women’s rugby to the place where it is today and recognising their input into the history of women’s rugby,” said Dr Lydia Furse, Education and Community Outreach Officer at the World Rugby Museum.
“Women’s rugby today is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and particularly in the UK. The women’s rugby World Cups have been put onto that world stage and grown participation beyond where the players themselves could have imagined.”
Dr Lydia Furse also highlights the importance of Twickenham stadium as a venue for the exhibition and the history of women’s rugby game.
“The stadium is home of Red Roses, who are currently number one in the world. They are going into the women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 as first in the world. There’s a very important link there.”
The exhibition includes quotes from the players, moving footage and memorabilia like match ball, shirts, and medals.
1991 Match Ball Rugby World Cup Credit: Julita Waleskiewicz
Ali Donnelly who is the other curator of the exhibition has previously played for Teddington RFC. She said: “We are making progress in recognition of women’s rugby game. That is accelerating faster now than ever before. However, there’s still a long way to go.
“When women’s rugby started in the 90s, it was considered not a very socially acceptable sport for women’s play.
“Although there are pockets of that attitude still around, people are becoming more on board with it.
“I hope that people who visit the exhibition with leave learning a lot more about women’s rugby. We want to show them that Women’s World Cups were important. It gave the game very unusual and rare spotlight.
Teddington RFC are recruiting players for their women’s team:
????JOIN TRFC LADIES! ????
Training takes place at Udney Park Sports Ground every Tues from 7:30pm -9:15pm & St Mary's University in Twickenham every Thur from 7:30-9:00pm. Bring boots, trainers & plenty of water! Newcomers welcome. contact: [email protected]pic.twitter.com/0ILonQe7Uw
Bluebell Nicholls who’s a rugby enthusiast from London says rugby helped her gain more confidence.
“What I love about this sport is there’s space for everyone on the pitch. No matter how big or strong you are or where you come from. That’s something that not only we understand in the community, but we advocate it within the game.”
The exhibition will be running throughout 2022 and it will remain open to visitors until January 2023.
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HeadlineWorld Rugby Museum celebrates women’s rugby with a new exhibition
Short HeadlineMuseum opens new Women's Rugby exhibition
StandfirstTwickenham World Rugby Museum are hoping the exhibition will boost the popularity of the sport for women and girls.
‘The Rugby World Cup: In Her Words’ exhibition has been launched this week at the World Rugby Museum based at Twickenham Stadium.
The ‘In Her Words’ exhibition explores the history of the eight women’s rugby world cups from the first in Cardiff in 1991 to the most recent in Ireland in 2017. It also looks ahead to the delayed 2021 event, which will take place in New Zealand later this year.
It aims to showcase why the history of women’s rugby world cups has been important for the development of the game.
Moreover, it highlights the progress the women’s game has made since the first World Cup in 1991.
The 2021 Rugby World Cup will held in New Zealand. It will be the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup for women. Credit: Julita Waleskiewicz
It has been curated as a partnership between the World Rugby Museum, Ali Donnelly – the founder of women’s rugby website Scrum Queens, and Dr Lydia Furse, an expert on the history of the game.
“The purpose is really to celebrate the individuals, not just on the pitch but also off the pitch who fought to get women’s rugby to the place where it is today and recognising their input into the history of women’s rugby,” said Dr Lydia Furse, Education and Community Outreach Officer at the World Rugby Museum.
“Women’s rugby today is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and particularly in the UK. The women’s rugby World Cups have been put onto that world stage and grown participation beyond where the players themselves could have imagined.”
Dr Lydia Furse also highlights the importance of Twickenham stadium as a venue for the exhibition and the history of women’s rugby game.
“The stadium is home of Red Roses, who are currently number one in the world. They are going into the women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 as first in the world. There’s a very important link there.”
The exhibition includes quotes from the players, moving footage and memorabilia like match ball, shirts, and medals.
1991 Match Ball Rugby World Cup Credit: Julita Waleskiewicz
Ali Donnelly who is the other curator of the exhibition has previously played for Teddington RFC. She said: “We are making progress in recognition of women’s rugby game. That is accelerating faster now than ever before. However, there’s still a long way to go.
“When women’s rugby started in the 90s, it was considered not a very socially acceptable sport for women’s play.
“Although there are pockets of that attitude still around, people are becoming more on board with it.
“I hope that people who visit the exhibition with leave learning a lot more about women’s rugby. We want to show them that Women’s World Cups were important. It gave the game very unusual and rare spotlight.
Teddington RFC are recruiting players for their women’s team:
????JOIN TRFC LADIES! ????
Training takes place at Udney Park Sports Ground every Tues from 7:30pm -9:15pm & St Mary's University in Twickenham every Thur from 7:30-9:00pm. Bring boots, trainers & plenty of water! Newcomers welcome. contact: [email protected]pic.twitter.com/0ILonQe7Uw
Bluebell Nicholls who’s a rugby enthusiast from London says rugby helped her gain more confidence.
“What I love about this sport is there’s space for everyone on the pitch. No matter how big or strong you are or where you come from. That’s something that not only we understand in the community, but we advocate it within the game.”
The exhibition will be running throughout 2022 and it will remain open to visitors until January 2023.
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