Gender equality in sport is ‘still about 10 years away’ says Rugby Australia CEO on eve of Hong Kong Sevens
- ‘We want to get women into the mix now, and in the future the conversation will only be about who is capable and who is not,’ says KPMG director
- Women in Sports Leadership breakfast attended by Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle and Scotland Rugby Union president Dee Bradbury
In a perfect world there would be no need for this conversation and the role women play in sport would not be addressed as a separate issue, “but we’re still about 10 years away from that”, said Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.
In the hours before the women’s series qualifiers kicked off at So Kon Po on Thursday, a Women in Sports Leadership breakfast was being hosted by KPMG just down the road in Causeway Bay.
“To see men and women here is important because everyone needs to be involved in this conversation,” Castle said. “The message of aspiration is important for the women, but the message of support is important for the men, and the need to sponsor that message at the highest level.”
While men’s rugby in Australia may have struggled on the pitch in recent years, the women’s sevens side won Olympic Games gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, becoming instant heroes. Off the pitch, there have been initiatives introduced, such as parity in wages and training set-ups for both the men’s and women’s squads.
“Pay parity is an incredible step forward,” Castle added. “And full credit to the Olympics for bringing Sevens in as gender equal. That drives a lot of responsible decision-making by national bodies. They know their men and women should be promoted equally.”