England’s Women’s Rugby Aim for Full Professional League

In an ambitious move, Harlequins player Emily Robinson believes that England’s top women’s division can become fully professional within the next 10 years.

Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) currently consists mostly of part-time or amateur players, with only around 20% being full-time professionals. However, Robinson sees a clear path towards achieving a fully professional league in the near future.

The Path to Professionalism

Robinson, who is not only a rugby player but also a qualified carpenter and coach, expresses her confidence in reaching this goal. She states that it is “definitely achievable” to have a full-time professional league within the Premiership.

The PWR has recently undergone rebranding and introduced several objectives in its 10-year strategy. One of these objectives is to establish itself as “the first professional women’s club rugby league across all aspects of the game.”

Achieving Full-Time Status

Robinson shares her thoughts on the timeline for becoming fully professional. She predicts that it will take between five to ten years to accomplish this aim. The recent rebranding efforts and new broadcasting deal with TNT Sports are crucial steps towards realizing this vision.

Gaining Viewership for Success

To make this transformation possible, gaining sufficient viewership remains essential. Robinson acknowledges sport’s potential for greatness but emphasizes the need to reach those interested in watching women’s rugby. The more viewers the league can attract, the closer it will be to achieving its goal of becoming a fully professional organization.

A Reunion on the Field

Emily Robinson is currently playing for Harlequins alongside her younger sister Flo. This reunion marks their first time as teammates since 2018 when they played for Pulborough.

Flo, who recently moved to Quins after three seasons at Exeter Chiefs, brings unique qualities and competitive spirit to the team according to Emily. The sisters have previously been part of England camps together but are yet to play internationally side by side.

Both talented players, Emily made her debut during the 2022 Six Nations while Flo is still waiting for her first cap as a scrum-half. Regardless of whether she shares the field with Flo or watches from the stands, Emily anticipates that seeing her sister earn her first international cap will be an emotional and proud moment for both of them and their family.