Women’s Rugby World Cup’s Brutal Reality: Samoa Players Fundraising Costs

The Women’s Rugby World Cup will make a glitzy start connected Friday nighttime successful beforehand of a world TV audience, but a Guardian study of nan 16 competing nations has discovered nan sadistic financial reality for galore athletes taking part.

Half of nan 32-strong Samoa squad are raising costs to screen nan costs of their mortgages and family bills while taking portion successful nan tourney successful England, according to 1 of their players, Nina Foaese, a 36-year-old mother of three.

World Rugby covers nan costs of flights and accommodation for each teams during nan title and, while Samoa are giving players allowances passim nan tournament, they do not person subordinate contracts successful place.

Foaese, who useful arsenic a support younker worker extracurricular of rugby, said: “It was overwhelming, I didn’t expect nan donations I person received. I was genuinely grateful and amazed astir really overmuch group wanted to sponsor maine because I person ne'er done thing for illustration this before.”

Samoa’s Nina Foaese crashes into nan Japan defence during their WXV 2 lucifer successful Cape Town successful 2023. Photograph: Johan Rynners/World Rugby/Getty Images

Foaese said fundraising came into her mind arsenic soon arsenic she heard of her action for nan World Cup. “Our squad had spoken astir what everyone was going to do to thief support ourselves individually. I wasn’t judge if I wanted to do it, but [someone said] you mightiness request thief living-wise and to make judge nan kids were sorted while I was away.”

The financial reality among nan different competing nations presented a mixed picture. The 4 location nations each person subordinate contracts successful place. England’s 32 deals scope from £39,000 to £48,000 and players person £1,500 per match. Wales salary £23,000 to £30,000 for 37 players and Scotland £18,000 to £27,000. Ireland person 37 contracts successful nan region of £15,000 to £30,000.

New Zealand, nan defending champions, person 45 full-time contracts, which alteration from NZ$50,000 to $70,000 (approx £21,900-£30,600). The Black Ferns players besides person $2,000 (£876) per week successful assembly fees during tournaments and different benefits specified arsenic life and trauma insurance.

Canada, who are among nan favourites, do not person fixed contracts, but salary their players per tourney and person adjacent salary pinch nan men’s team. A Canadian competing successful each competitions this twelvemonth would expect to person CAN$12,000 (approx £6,400).

Australia person 46 contracts, which scope from AUS$15,000 to $70,000 (£7,200- £33,600) and players are paid per time successful campy truthful that, if they are selected for each squads, they tin boost their net by AUS$15,000.

Brazil players creation during their Women’s Rugby World Cup invited ceremonial astatine Northampton Guildhall. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/World Rugby/Getty Images

USA person contracted 38 players from April to nan extremity of September and South Africa person 52 contracts. Brazil’s squad of 32 each person contracts, but successful different variations including sevens deals and contracts until aft nan Rugby World Cup. Some are besides paid by a master Brazilian club, Melina.

Italy person 25 contracts pinch 17 connected a full-time ground worthy £20,000 each. Four part-timers gain £15,000 and 4 are connected scholarships worthy £9,000.

Japan are successful a akin business to Samoa pinch nary subordinate contracts, but do supply regular allowances for players. There is simply a triumph prize strategy for nan tourney too.

Spain, France and Fiji were contacted for accusation but did not reply to requests. It is understood that 32 Spanish players person been fixed short-term bursaries to support nan squad financially astatine nan tournament.