By Imogen Ainsworth
Bristol Bears women have become the first team in the Allianz Premier 15s to include players' names on the back of their shirts.
The initiative at Bears started with head coach Dave Ward and has been well received by the players.
Ward says players having names on their shirts has always been a goal of his and stresses how important it was to him to provide that for the players.
“It's something that was on my radar really from minute one from joining the club,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to play in the Premiership as a player myself and it was a really big deal for me to have my name on the shirt.”
In terms of media coverage, Manon Johnes, who plays in the back row for Bears, believes names on playing kit only adds to the brilliant foundations that have been established to grow the coverage of the game.
“Sometimes even the commentators aren't the best at getting names right so it's another stepping stone in getting women to the same level as men and getting recognition. Women's rugby has a massive growth potential and it just adds to that further,” Johnes said.
In the Gallagher Premiership, players are required to have names on their shirts to play, however this is not currently a requirement in the Premier 15s. Ward would like to see this changed.
“I'd be tempted to write it into the minimum operating standards [for the Premier 15s]. It's written into the men's. They have to have names on shirts to perform in the Premiership. I'd like it to be written into the women's [game]. It's certainly something as a club that we push for,” he said.
Ward also stresses that alongside the Premier 15s teams having names on shirts, the Red Roses having the same is essential.
“I'm fully expecting the Red Roses to have names on the back of their shirts for the Six Nations. If they're not, there's something wrong. The men have got it, it was great for the fans to see that.
“My expectation would be for the RFU to follow suit and for the women to have names on the back of the shirts as well. How good would it be to see the names on the back of shirts for the Red Roses as well as the Prem teams?”
Ward is also passionate about the responsibility of coaches to continue to advocate for change in the game, no matter how small those changes may seem.
“As a coach in my position, I need to be pushing loads of things along the way to keep progressing women's sport,” the former Harlequins hooker said. “Every time we get a small win, people expect us to stop. We're not going to. I'm not going to.”
Players have since spoken of how grateful they are to be so supported by their coach striving for changes to the game.
Courtney Keight, who plays on the wing for Bears and Wales, describes how much it means as players to be so strongly supported by their coaches and by the club.
“They really do believe in us as players. To advocate for us against the ‘big guys' as well, it means a lot,” she said.
“I've felt so much belief from them since they've come in and that's where I think the positive results have come from. It's brilliant that they back us in the way that they do.”
Players are filled with pride to be the first Premier 15s club to have names on shirts.
“It's a very positive move and a massive statement as well,” Keight said.”It feels amazing to be part of a team that's so forward thinking and so aligned with the men's side. It means that we feel more equal and that we're taking the right steps forward.
“To be the first Prem 15s team to do that as well is fantastic to get that recognition around us as players. It feels amazing to be part of the team that does that first.”
Johnes expressed the importance of having players' names on shirts not just individually, but also for the wider meaning the sentiment holds.
“It's not just about having your name on your back, it's about all the people who came before you and contributed to your journey, and all the people who you make proud when you go on the rugby pitch,” she said. “It means a lot, not just in terms of the parity between the men's and women's sides but also individually.”
This was echoed by teammate and scrumhalf, Lucy Burgess.
“It's such a proud moment for all of us because it shows we're so much more than just rugby players. It's what we stand for, and you want to make your name proud and do your family proud,” she said.
After the first game with names on shirts, videos circulated of Burgess overcome with emotion as she saw a young fan in the stands with “Burgess” on the back of their shirt.
Burgess finds it difficult to describe the influx of emotions that she experienced in the moment but says it is something that will remain with her forever.
“It's hard to put it into words. It's the moment you always dream of. Never did I think it would happen to me. I appreciate it so much,” she said.
“The fans at the game and the support has been unreal. We can't thank them enough. It made my day, and I think it made her day. It was a really special moment. It was a lot of emotions, but it was so lovely. It's a moment I'm never going to forget,” she said with a beaming smile.
Featured Image credit: JMP UK
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