Europe 1 with AFP 9:40 p.m., February 16, 2023

The motherhood of players under contract with the English Rugby Federation (RFU) will be better supported, before and after pregnancy, a way of "trivializing" it, rejoiced the second line of the "Red Roses" Abbie Ward, pregnant.

High-level women's sport is advancing in terms of rights.

An agreement has been reached between the RFU and the Rugby Players Association (RPA) concerning support around the pregnancy of professional rugby players in England.

The agreement aims to "provide a supportive environment for players under contract after having children and establish policies to support them during their pregnancy," the RFU explained in a statement released on Thursday.

He will implement "a full risk assessment as soon as a player announces her pregnancy", then help her find another job as soon as her condition no longer allows her to play, until she can take her maternity leave (26 weeks paid at full rate).

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"Travelling with your child"

“If, at any time during pregnancy or maternity leave, contracts are renegotiated or extended, the player (…) will be included in all discussions and will have her contract extended for a period of at least 12 months”, further specifies the RFU in its press release.

The contract also stipulates that any player who returns to the team after maternity leave and who will have to travel for training camps, "will be able to travel with her child", as well as with her spouse or with the person taking care of the baby. .

During competitions, the RFU will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the infant and the caregiver.

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Being able to resume rugby in complete “safety”

This agreement "allows players to make choices while offering them a financial guarantee", welcomed Paula Grant, director of human resources of the RFU.

For Abbie Ward (29, 61 caps), who recently announced she is expecting her first child, it "will help trivialize motherhood in sport and give players the best possible chance to return to rugby if they wish, safely".

In France, women's handball had adopted in March 2021 its first collective agreement guaranteeing better social protection for players, with in particular in the event of maternity a maintenance of salary for up to twelve months.