So Rugby Today has issued an “apology” of sorts. You’ll recall that Josie Ziluca posted a snippet of her email correspondence with Allyn Freeman, Managing Editor of Rugby Today on Instagram. The outcry was almost immediate as the post went viral on social media and Reddit.
We reached out to the Editors of Rugby Today and in our correspondence asked for a public apology and this is what we got:
Dear Ms. Ziluca and Women of Rugby in the United States.
The purpose of this note is to clarify a previous statement that appeared on Facebook about women’s rugby not generating the same readership as men’s rugby on the websiteRugbyToday.com. In no way did my comments mean to impugn the growth or stature of the women’s game.
I apologize for any misunderstanding regarding this allegation, especially, as it relates to the United World Sports, the parent company of RugbyToday, and the operator of the USA Sevens and the College Rugby Championship (CRC).
United World Sports and I have consistently been positive in the coverage and support of women’s rugby. Former female writers have been sent to Women’s World Cup and Sevens Championships. Most recently, in 2014, we devoted a slew of timely articles about the Women’s World Cup in France, and the hiring of a photographer to send exclusive pictures of the event. We were the only rugby website to undergo this cost.
United World Sports will add significantly more women’s teams to the 2016 CRC, and importantly, our goal is to add women’s television programming into the mix for the event. Further, I am trying to arrange for an interview with the leading Philadelphia television station to send its health editor to interview women’s coaches at the tournament.
“Facts are precious things.” And the facts in this matter are that United World Sports and I have always been great supporters of women’s rugby, and we shall continue to do so.
Sincerely,
Allyn Freeman
Managing Editor
RugbyToday
We don’t have much to say other than this is a pathetic attempt at mending bridges and a horrific “apology”. On Tuesday we recommended to all of our fellow ruggers to only support those that support women’s rugby.
Today we’re going a step farther and asking that you consider skipping Vegas 7s and CRCs this year. Instead go to Atlanta 7s or any other women’s event out there. We can be the change but we have to do it together.
Share this:
Discover more from YSCRugby | Women's Rugby News
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
Whatever the viewing figures say it is rather blunt if one infers that Women’s Rugby is always going to be less popular.
Huge strides have brought the Ladies Game into Universities and High Schools and all who work to promote Rugby should be congratulated encouraged and sponsored
From what I’ve seen. Women’s Rugby has been growing just as fast as the mens world wide. With the potential of a medal at the Olympics. I doubt the men will have the same luck.