Ugo Monye: Former rugby star explains why he feels a duty to be a women's sport ally

The ninth series of The Game Changers podcast continued with former Harlequins, England and British & Irish Lions rugby star Ugo Monye. 

The ex-winger is chair of the RFU’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group and recently became a trustee of the Women’s Sports Trust charity. 

Speaking to host Sue Anstiss, Monye opened up on his “duty” to be a male ally for women’s sport. 

During an inspiring conversation, the now-renowned broadcaster questioned whether women’s rugby is truly “professional” at this moment, why more investment is needed and how male players can do more to publicly support their female colleagues. 

Asked how he first became a part of the Women’s Sport Trust, Monye cited his change in mindset following the start of the Black Lives Matter movement. Owing to his own emotions, he understood the need for more ‘allies’ and soon recognised the importance of fighting other injustices –– not just those that affect him personally. 

“I think for me there’d always been a fire within me to want to do something more in the women’s game,” he revealed. “But I think in the wake of George Floyd and his murder I spoke a lot about it and it really triggered something in me. I had a lot of emotion and [with] this unwanted relationship I have with racism, the one thing I kept repeatedly saying is we need allies. You know, it’s not just a black people problem. 

“If I’m trying to combat injustice, I can’t just combat injustice for the things that matter to me. I need to look beyond just the things that affect me. And I have two daughters –– what’s the world going to look like for them growing up? How can I protect that? I need to be an ally and to use my voice and passion. And it has to be a passion. It can’t just be a flag