We have a responsibility to see that equality extends beyond the classroom and to the sports field as well. We no longer pigeon-hole girls into stereotypical subjects and vocations, but encourage them to dream big and pursue careers in STEM too with huge benefits to industry and the economy. Why do we continue to pigeon-hole them into stereotypical sports?

The gender segregation that exists within school sport is stifling young girls and preventing them from taking advantage of the opportunities now available within traditionally male sports like rugby and football. They deserve the choice.

We are at a point in history where young girls look up to remarkable female athletes as role models, rather than having posters of just sportsmen on their walls. The tide is changing, with growing opportunities for women to make a career in sport, with full-time professional salaries now available to female rugby players and those working within sport. We believe it’s time our schools follow suit and offer equal opportunities for girls to fall in love with rugby as they do for boys.

We are calling for rugby to be made available to girls as part of the school curriculum, or as an extra-curricular activity.

Since 2014, World Rugby reports that the total number of registered female rugby players has risen by 145%, compared to 25% for male players. More than a quarter of the 9.6 million people who play rugby in the world are female. Rugby inspires young people to excel, to have courage, to lead, to work hard, to have respect for others and for themselves. Those lessons can be applied to much more than just sport, they’re lessons for life and ones we should be teaching girls in particular.

School is where the rugby journey starts and therefore a responsibility lies with schools to foster inclusivity, opportunity and equality – not division and outdated stereotypes.

Let the girls lace up their boots and allow them to experience rugby at school. Let the girls play.