GALLERY | Female rugby players start online campaign after being snubbed for models

Friday, 28 August 2020 at 23:59

bySteven Smith

The launch of Ireland Rugby’s bespoke women's kit this sparked an online movement of empowering images and celebrating women in rugby.

It all began with the launch of Ireland Rugby’s bespoke women’s jersey, however, the promotional images did not featuring any members of their women’s team, instead using models.

Wasps Ladies player, Florence Williams took to twitter to raise her concern about the launch of the kit.

Shortly after, women and girls from grass-roots to international level flooded social media with empowering images of themselves in their rugby kit, along with #IAmEnough.

1. Ellie Boatman, Richmond

2. Saracens women

3. Lucy Charlotte Winter, Sale Sharks

4. Danielle Bush

5. Simi Hannah, Bristol Bears & Doctor

6. Samantha Lovett, Kaiserslautern Rugby Club

7. Simone Brooke-Smith

Simone Brooke-Smith

@x_simonebrooke

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I’ve spent over half my life playing this sport and I love it. However, years over battling stereotypes is grating and frustrating. However, the way the community of women’s rugby have pulled together these past few days is incredible. #IAmEnough

5:19 PM · Aug 27, 2020

8. Jade Knight, Saracens

9. Lizzi Cafferky

10. Sara

11. Donna Powell

donna powell

@donnalpowell

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#IAMENOUGH We can wear boots and we can wear heels. We can wear mud and we can wear make up. We can wear our team strips proudly and we can wear a dress. We can be strong, we can be fast and we can work as a team. Rugby is an inclusive sport, how people look is irrelevant!

6:33 AM · Aug 28, 2020

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12. Ellie House

13. Caitlin Pugh

Caitlin Pugh

@caitlinpugh_12

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#IAmEnough Stereotyping in women’s sport is at the forefront again after Irish Rugby & Canterbury used models to launch the women’s kit. It’s time to break the stigma & inspire the next generation. We can be feminine as well as strong & powerful. Role models are real models.

2:32 PM · Aug 27, 2020

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14. Lakenham Lionesses

15. Isobelle Eyres

16. The Lady Moose Ruggers

17. Emily Rudge, St Helens

18. Hilary Drabble

Hilary Karpinski (was Drabble)

@hilaryx1owl

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Some of the most beautiful women I know are also very talented rugby players - ignorant stereotyping is preventing too many young girls from living their best life #Iamenough

9:53 AM · Aug 27, 2020

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19. Danika Priim, Leeds Rhinos

Danika Priim

@DanikaPriim

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Can all women, no matter what sport you play post a picture of yourself playing your sport, next to a picture of your non-sporty self. Using #wedontneedmodels #breakthestereotype #IAmEnough

8:53 AM · Aug 27, 2020

271

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20. Mui Thomas, Referee

Mui Thomas

@mui_thomas

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#IAmEnough #irishrugby I am feminine. I am strong. I am powerful. I am a role model. I am muscular. I am beautiful. I am an athlete. I am an inspiration. I am the best model for my kit. I have #ichthyosis I am a rugby referee from Hong Kong.