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Female rugby players say equality issues remain

Martin Giles/BBC Woman rugby players at Cambridge Rugby Club trainingMartin Giles/BBC
Rugby players in Cambridge say they love the game, but equality issues still play a part in their lives

The Women's Equality Party (WEP) is to hold a conference later as it looks to dissolve itself, nine years after it was founded.

Despite fielding candidates in local and general elections, it has not had much success, with just a handful of councillors across the country.

BBC Politics East headed to Cambridge Rugby Club to talk to female players about equality between men and women.

We asked them about issues that still separate the sexes.

Martin Giles/BBC Women's rugby player Cat Hamilton at a training ground in Cambridge.Martin Giles/BBC
Cat Hamilton said men started playing rugby earlier than women

Cat Hamilton said: "Everyone I know in this team mainly started when they were in their mid-20s.

"Whereas for men's rugby they all start from when they are four. But we love it.

"But we have a lot more work to do."

Martin Giles/BBC Women's rugby player Allegra Sloot at a training ground in CambridgeMartin Giles/BBC
Allegra Sloot said women in gyms were often scrutinised

Allegra Sloot said: "If women are more physical going to a gym they are scrutinised a lot more.

"Whereas if they are into more classically feminine things I think they are scrutinised a lot less.

"I think that does shape the way women look at themselves in society."

Martin Giles/BBC Rugby player Ali Elsley at a rugby training ground in CambridgeMartin Giles/BBC
Ali Elsley said the way objects such as seatbelts are designed favours men

Ali Elsley said: "Women are different from men.

"When women are in the same car accident, they are 47% more likely to be seriously injured and 17% more likely to die.

"That's because of the seatbelt design and because crash test dummies are designed as men."

Martin Giles/BBC Tabby Pickup on a rugby training ground in CambridgeMartin Giles/BBC
Tabby Pickup, who is a clinical psychologist, believes a lot more action is needed in the field of equality

Tabby Pickup said: "I think a huge amount needs to be done in data collection (to look at women's equality).

"I'm a clinical psychologist, a really female dominated profession, but it's still men who hold the higher positions of power."

Martin Giles/BBC Rugby player and coach Sophie Sparsis at a training ground in CambridgeMartin Giles/BBC
Rugby player and coach Sophie Sparsis has found herself one of the first women in the local area to coach boys' sides

Rugby player and coach Sophie Sparsis said: "I'm actually the first woman to come into our coaching team to coach rugby.

"I found that when we go to away games I am the only female coaching a boys' team.

"I've had really positive experiences so far.

"It's good to have a different perspective on rugby. It's really good for the children to see that from a new perspective."

BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday 17 November at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.

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