Asia Rugby have announced a new individual naming structure for all of their tournaments to align them in gender equity.
From 1 July 2019 onwards, each tournament will be specifically named either a Men’s or Women’s competition.
The existing Asia Rugby Championship will now become the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship, sitting alongside the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, for example.
In addition, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series will now become the Asia Rugby Men’s Sevens Series, played across three rounds alongside the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
The move is to further emphasise the equal nature of both men and women in Asia.
Asia Rugby EXCO member Ada Milby spoke about the importance of this announcement.
“This is an announcement that highlights where we are as a region,” said Milby.
“We felt that as part of the efforts to promote gender equity, it was an easy decision to provide parity in the naming structure for our competitions.
“We’re really proud to be the first regional association to make this announcement.”
With almost 40% of the region’s participation numbers female the sport is increasingly growing in Asia and also follows World Rugby’s landmark #WomenInRugby campaign.
The decision that was approved by Asia Rugby EXCO and Council during the meetings in Chinese Taipei sits alongside a move to also drop the word Championship from all but the top competitions in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
“This is important, we are happy to see how this is now being set up and this is a key announcement,” added EXCO member Herman Huang of Chinese Taipei.
“In Asia Rugby gender inclusion is a priority, we have a committee to place targets within the policies and processes, and this decision has come from that.
“Without the support of the parents, we don’t know how to bring children into the sport. So we have to show them that their children are well protected.”
FULL COMPETITION NAMING STRUCTURE FROM 1 JULY
Asia Rugby Women’s Division I
Asia Rugby Men’s Sevens Trophy
Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Trophy
Asia Rugby Under 18 Boys Sevens
Asia Rugby Under 20 Men’s Sevens
Asia Rugby Under 20 Women’s Sevens
Asia Rugby Men’s Sevens Series
Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series
Asia Rugby Women’s 7s Qualification Tournament for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo in 2020
Asia Rugby Men’s 7s Qualification Tournament for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo in 2020
Asia Rugby Under 18 Girls Sevens
The Asia Rugby Under 19 Men’s Championship
Asia Rugby Under 19 Men’s Division 1 and 2
The Asia Rugby Women’s Championship
The Asia Rugby Men’s Championship
Asia Rugby Women’s Divisions 1 and 2
Asia Rugby Men’s Divisions 1, 2 and 3
