It may seem like there are bigger issues in the world of sport than how a team chooses to travel.
Yet, the treatment of the England women’s rugby team, who were forced to fly via economy to New Zealand for this year’s World Cup, raises a number of important questions.
News broke last month that the Red Roses were not flying with partner British Airways and had been told to refrain from posting about their journey, as the airline in question was not an official partner of England Rugby.
Understandably, this revelation led to significant backlash and prompted a number of people to question the blatant double standards.
Why were England’s women forced to travel in economy when the men were in business? Why did British Airways refuse to charter a flight to New Zealand? Why were the entire team urged to keep silent on the situation?
Why did England fly economy?
In 2019, Eddie Jones’ England side flew business class to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
British Airlines provided the flights, including a bespoke plane emblazoned with ‘Sweet Chariot’ on the side.
However, the Red Roses were forced to find an “alternative carrier” because British Airways does not fly direct to New Zealand.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: England Rugby’s 31 man squad line up in front of their British Airways ‘Sweet Chariot’ that will fly them to Tokyo, at Heathrow Airport on September 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for British Airways)
What’s more, the RFU stressed that the women flew in economy as the side is currently loss-making and hence limited in what it can invest in.
A statement from the RFU explained that while it was “proud of the progress” the Red Roses had made, the team management had decided to invest in “additional physios, performance coaches, a nutritionist and a full-time psychologist… rather than flying in business.”
Was the RFU’s decision justified?
In a word, no.
Let’s break down the excuses. Firstly, that British Airways does not currently offer flights straight to New Zealand.
Though this may be the case, England Rugby’spartnership with British Airways has run since 2018, with the airline even advertising that they would fly the Red Roses to the World Cup.
A statement at the time read: “The partnership will see British Airways fly the England Men’s and Women’s teams to matches all around the world, including to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.”
Rugby journalist Stella Mills also emphasised that it would likely be possible for British Airways to charter a flight to New Zealand if they so desired. At the very least, the airline could have flown the Red Roses part way there and organised a connection.
Imagine being the best women’s rugby team in the world, hot favourites to win the Rugby World Cup yet still flying economy to NZ 👀
Even worse when @British_Airways are the official airline partner 🤨
EVEN worse when players couldn’t sit together throughout the 28 hour trip 🫠 pic.twitter.com/ez04ahEYgg — Stella Mills 🏉 (@stella_mills_) September 26, 2022
Speaking on LBC, she explained: “The microscope needs to be on the sponsors which is on BA’s shoulders. It’s an international company — if they really wanted to charter a flight they could do it at a moment’s notice. The issue here is the priority. The women are not the priority.”
The truth is, though, they really should be. Simon Middleton’s side are on a record winning streak of 25 matches, having thrashed the Black Ferns in the process.
They are currently the number one ranked side in the world and enter this month’s World Cup as firm favourites.
Surely, the very company that took so much pride in announcing its partnership with the England men’s team, should be equally eager to share their working relationship with the best women’s side in the world?
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Abby Dow of England breaks with the ball during the Autumn International 2nd Test match between England Red Roses and New Zealand at Franklin’s Gardens on November 07, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The wording of the RFU’s clarification statement is also notable, given that it admits there has been investment into the women’s team.
Indeed, the statement makes clear that there was some funding available, but they chose not to spend it on travel. In simple terms –– they could have sent the Red Roses in business, but wouldn’t.
Are there similar examples?
England are not the only side at this year’s Rugby World Cup that have experienced different treatment compared to their male counterparts.
Wales did not fly their women’s team in business class to New Zealand either, though performance director Nigel Walker emphasised he is looking to address these inequalities.
”In Rugby World Cups you get a contribution from the governing body, we have used that contribution and booked flights accordingly,” he said.
“If you wanted to look for inequalities between the men’s and women’s game, you wouldn’t have to look too far.
“We are trying to close that gap and we recognise that we have got a way to go, but the Welsh Rugby Union is committed to this women’s programme. But this highlights one of the inequalities that exist.”
CARDIFF, WALES – APRIL 10: Detailed view of the Rugby ball bearing the WRU logo on ahead of the Women’s Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park on April 10, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
It’s not just rugby where this is happening either. Last month, the French Cycling Federation defended its choice to fly the women’s side to the World Championships in Australia via economy, while the men’s side travelled in business.
Christoph Manin, the national technical director of French Cycling, told AFP that the decision was made based on the men’s superior chances of victory.
“For the men, we’ve been world champions for the last two years. We are really going there to win, while we are more of an outsider in the girls’ competition,” he explained.
“If we had the mountain bike world championships in Australia with the same economic choice to make, we would put the two girls in business and the boys in economy.”
What can be done?
It’s no secret that not all sporting teams will be able to afford to fly in luxury style, but organisations must acknowledge that if they are going to treat their men’s side in a specific manner, then they must afford the women the same corresponding care.
In this instance, the issue concerns flights, but there have been plenty of other examples of disparities in recent years, ranging from lack of kit, to inadequate accommodation.
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Helena Rowland of England breaks during the Women’s international match between England Red Roses and Wales at Ashton Gate on September 14, 2022 in Bristol, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
It is right, therefore, that British Airways and the RFU have been called out. For far too long, companies have jumped on the women’s sport bandwagon and used it as a PR tool to their advantage, whenever suits.
If England Women win the World Cup they will be lauded as heroes and sponsors will reap as many benefits as they possibly can. The team would surely be flown home in style and treated like champions, like any victorious men’s side would be.
The reality is though, this should really have been the case in the first place.
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Rugby World Cup: Why England’s second-class treatment is unacceptable
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