An open letter to RFU England and Allianz.  

The Allianz Premier 15’s deserves to have every match live streamed.  

In 2020 when stadia sit empty and fans are forced to sit at home please let us promote and provide patronage to a sport we love.   

Since the inception of the Premier 15’s in 2017 we have watched with joy as the women’s game has grown in stature and quality.  Success on the international stage has boosted and been boosted by the top level of club rugby.

For the sport to continue on this upward trajectory we are asking the governing body to further boost media coverage by live stream every game.  This will:

Drive more sponsorship by demonstrating enhanced sponsor coverage and value
Inspire more people to play the sport
Target more supporters to engage with the game at all levels
Despite this golden opportunity we are saddened to see that the RFU is currently hampering the potential of the sport, not to mention our enjoyment of it by only committing to broadcasting one game per round.   This represents a paltry 20% of potential content and sponsor value. 

With COVID significantly reducing the amount of new quality live content available to audiences across the country and fans in every other elite sport flocking to watch live streamed games the women’s rugby game should not have to sit on the side-lines.

To remedy this scenario is not a significant burden.  All clubs have access to grounds with high speed network coverage and all clubs record the entirety of each game for match analysis in co-operation with the RFU.   

All that remains is making use of a laptop and a readymade hosting service such as can be found on YouTube, Facebook or many alternative social media platforms. Sale Sharks have already demonstrated the viability of this approach with over 16,000 views on their opening Facebook stream.

Fans, players and teams have nurtured and promoted this top tier of Women’s Rugby from the first whistle.  With current COVID restrictions, stadiums have once again slumped to empty and fans are being left out in the cold this winter.

Let us support and promote the game.

Please give us our games.