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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Women in Rugby
Friday 06 May, 2022
4 min read

Rowena Davenport keen to use seat at the table to advocate for change

We caught up with the World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship recipient following her recent appointment to the New Zealand Rugby board.
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Growing up in Waikouaiti in New Zealand’s South Island, playing rugby was not something Rowena Davenport thought was possible, however much she wanted it to be.

Davenport would spend Saturdays standing on the touchline with her siblings at Eastern RFC, alongside their rugby-mad father, if only for the bag of chips and fizzy drink on offer after the match.

She finally got the chance to lace up a pair of boots when she attended university in Dunedin, and rugby took on an even greater importance in her life.

An attack-minded second five-eighth, who enjoyed a sidestep, Davenport played for several clubs in the city. “I wasn’t the best player but I enjoyed it so much!” she told World Rugby.

“That’s when I really understood why people love the game so much in this country. For me, I really enjoyed the physicality of it but equally the team culture was really important, and I think rugby does team culture really well.”

“I’m in a privileged position”

Off the pitch, Davenport built a successful career in finance and the skills she developed in her professional life led to her being appointed to the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) board in 2014.

Five years later, she became the first woman to become chair of a major provincial union in New Zealand, following the resignation of Keith Cooper.

We would like to acknowledge Rowena Davenport who has been appointed chairwoman of the Otago Rugby Football Union. She becomes the first female to lead a Mitre 10 Cup union.#TryAndStopUs #WomenInRugby pic.twitter.com/MKswTwjNIe

— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) May 23, 2019

Davenport served as ORFU chair until March, when she stepped down from the role two weeks after being confirmed as one of 12 recipients of the World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship for 2022.

Her skills will not be lost to the game she loves. Last month, Davenport was appointed to the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board on a three-year term alongside the country’s former Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy.

“It’s really exciting,” she said. “Now that I have a seat at the table, I'm in a privileged position to advocate for change and support New Zealand Rugby to demonstrate how it can support the more diverse and inclusive environments for women and other groups that are underrepresented.

“I've had a lot of wonderful opportunities as a result of being involved in rugby and am delighted to get the recognition that comes with the World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship in amongst some very impressive women from right around the world. 

“It’s a very humbling experience, and a fantastic opportunity for me to invest in my own professional development and growth on the back of all the opportunities I've had in rugby to date.”

Creating pathways

Davenport has never been entirely comfortable with the focus on gender that her work in rugby governance has elicited.

However, she is keen to use the scholarship and her place on the NZR board to help other women follow in her footsteps.

“It's important for me to raise my profile to show others what's possible and give them an opportunity to learn from my experiences in rugby,” Davenport said.

“It's a big part of why I was interested in the scholarship.

“I've always been taken back by the attention I've got for the role I've played in rugby based on my gender. I understand that's because there's been so few women involved to date, but it’s encouraging to see that is improving.

“I take my role as a woman in governance seriously, I want to demonstrate that there are pathways to make it more transparent, understand the barriers to getting more women involved in rugby governance and give another perspective on all other rugby matters as well.”

Davenport added: “I've had a really positive and encouraging experience in rugby. I've also observed some of the barriers to achieving more diversity.

“I think some of it is transparency and people understanding the pathways that are available to them.

“I've got an opportunity now to advocate and support for adapting some of the structural barriers that will support more women in governance roles. So, I'm really excited about that opportunity.”

Increasing participation

This year is a huge one for women’s sport in New Zealand, which recently hosted the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and is set to stage Rugby World Cup 2021, playing in 2022, in October.

RWC 2021 will give Davenport a chance to meet fellow Scholarship recipients in person, and she believes it can also act as a springboard for the popularity of the women’s game globally.

“We’ve got a great opportunity with the World Cup in New Zealand this year to showcase the talents and abilities in women’s rugby and just how far the women's game has come,” she said.

“We've got some fantastic teams competing. We've seen them in the lead up, and it's a really exciting style of rugby that I hope is well showcased for others to see.

“In doing so I think it'll be a great opportunity to drive greater participation in women's rugby here and across the world.”

Davenport is hopeful that the future is bright for women in rugby, but while a lot of good work has been done, she knows there is still more to do.

“I would like to see more women involved at every level of the game,” she said. “It's become apparent that we need more women involved in high performance, particularly around coaching and managing.

“Obviously I'd love to see the participation rate of young girls and women improve as well, because I think if we had more people engaged with our sport, we'll see more people involved in lots of the other roles in and around rugby.

“That’s how I developed my love of the game and it's gone on to lead me down a path in rugby administration. But there's lots of pathways available and I'd love to see more diversity involved in all sorts of roles within the game.”

Trending News Show all
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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