Tell the RFU what you think!

The Rugby Football Union is reviewing its Strategic Plan and is inviting everyone involved in rugby union in England to make their views known on the direction of and the priorities for the English game over the next eight years. The RFU want to know if the 2005 objectives are still appropriate, and consider any new areas that should be included in their long term planning.

As surveys go its impressively long - its unlikely that anyone could the whole thing in one go - but its worth spending some time on it, if you can.

Why?

Basically the survey is so long very few people will fill it in, so anyone that does complete the survey will have a disproportionate influence on the final report - so its a great opportunity to make a few points about the special needs of women's and girls' rugby.

For instance one priority is to "Maintain the Ethos and Culture of our game at all levels as a differentiator with other sports. The Ethos and Culture of the game of rugby union separates it out from many other sports. It is essential that we maintain these values at all levels of the game. They provide a key marketing message for us to attract new participants, be they players, spectators or Volunteers."

This rather self-satisfied priority obvious expects a resounding yes - but it could be argued that it is this very "ethos" and "culture" that results in much of the discrimination that women and girls face. Many aspects of the ethos of the game may well have a lot going for them, but when it comes to women's rugby the attitude of, well, rather too much of the game is pretty appalling, and this is a great opportunity to tell those who run the game how it needs to change. I suggest you therefore say "no" to this, and explain why.

The online survey can be found at rfustrategicplan.com. The RFU say that any responses will be thoroughly reviewed and analysed, with major common themes incorporated into the new Strategic Plan - so the more people who send in responses that highlight the problems the women's game faces the better.