Rugby is a sport deeply rooted in camaraderie and teamwork. The players must build trust and connection with each other to truly play the game. As the sport grows globally, creating a culturally safe environment becomes essential for promoting inclusivity. Here at the university of British Columbia, Okanagan campus (UBCO) U-Women’s Rugby team has recently been ratified, with cultural safety at the forefront. Cultural safety involves recognizing and respecting the diverse backgrounds of all players—whether they’re from Indigenous, immigrant, or local communities. This goes beyond surface-level tolerance, requiring team members and management to actively ensure players feel valued and free to express their identity.
Implementing cultural safety in this rugby team means fostering open dialogue, acknowledging and celebrating cultural differences, and understanding the cultural sensitivities that may affect each player’s experience. This can be as simple as respecting language preferences, celebrating diverse cultural milestones, or providing culturally sensitive support when needed. Training and awareness programs for players and coaches are crucial in helping teams recognize unconscious biases and in encouraging mutual respect among all members of the team.
In a team-based sport like rugby, culturally safe rugby teams not only create an inclusive space for players but also enrich the sport itself by allowing players to bring their whole selves to the field. By adopting these practices, rugby can continue to be a unifying force that transcends borders and builds community through respect and understanding of everyone.
Authors: The article was compiled by Jamie Atkins, India Barnett, Hana MacDonald, Ashleigh Patton, and Kyla Pyle who are all undergraduate students at UBC Okanagan.