The #icare campaign has taken over Instagram since online trolls have targeted Women’s rugby on comment sections on the social media site.
The news last Friday regarding the current state of professional women’s rugby in the UK, it was that the Allianz Premier 15s will be suspended for 2 weeks and the Women’s Six Nations being delayed till April. This news was met with a surge of online trolls proceeding to comment hate towards the sport.
Some of the comments made on Sky Sports official Instagram account have been condemned by rugby fans .
As it’s clear to see these comments should not be condemned by anyone, not just from the world of Rugby but sport as a whole. Many players of the professional game, and many amateur players took to social media to address these trolls and voice support for fellow female Rugby players.
Ruggette RFC were the pioneers for the campaign by following up their post saying “Post a photo of yourself playing, or of your favourite women’s player or women’s team. Talk about what photo means to you, what it represents. And use the hashtag #icare.”
Worcester Warriors Women’s player and University of Gloucestershire student Avy Devgun took to her social media to say “Being a female Rugby player has not only taught me to be strong and powerful and to stand up to others who put me down and the sport I adore down. I love Rugby with a passion, always have always will.”
Reading this woman’s words made me feel inspired, so I had to hear more about what she had to say, after a brief conversation here’s what she had to say to those internet trolls.
“My message would be, don’t judge a character by their physique and gender, women are as equally strong as men in many ways.
“Being a female rugby player means a lot to me, not only has it made me the person I am today, it’s been a huge part of my life and I’ve had so many great opportunities, I couldn’t be more grateful to Rugby.”
These brave words have also been followed by a statement from the official University of Gloucestershire Women’s Rugby Instagram, “We don’t need permission to succeed, women belong here, women’s Rugby will rise again, and if you don’t care… that’s your loss.”
May these words be a lesson to anyone who tries to degrade these female athletes again, just a great message to all athletes of all genders that through perseverance and determination, you can strive to prove your doubters wrong. #icare
