
RUGBY, THE EIGHTH CONTINENT:
the origins of international women’s rugby
If you don’t know where you come from, you won’t
know how far you can go.
What is THE EIGHTH CONTINENT?
THE EIGHTH CONTINENT is our metaphor for SPORT: a place without borders, where diversity is a great asset, and every individual has the capacity to act and change their community.
“If you don’t know where you come from, you won’t know how far you can go.” We cannot understand our potential without knowing our roots.
For this reason over four years, my team and I, Erika Morri, have collected the stories of over 100 women from 55 different countries, from Uganda to Argentina, Iran to New Zealand. We asked them how rugby transformed their lives and, most importantly, how rugby was born in their home countries. We discovered that beyond cultural differences, the recurring themes are similar: self-determination, sisterhood, the strength to ignore judgment, and the ability to manage emotions.
It is this awareness that drives us to spread this sport—contributing to history with a new step—as an important action to build a better, “unique continent.”
These testimonials confirm that rugby is a powerful tool for empowerment. Supported by scientific research from the University of Bologna, which will be published in a book by Armando Editore in September, we demonstrate how sport can be a fundamental educational method, even in schools, for personal growth and for building a more aware and inclusive society.
RUGBY EMPOWERMENT FOR LIFE
We are the story. Join us and create The Eighth Continent.
All the interviews
Starting Friday, August 22nd, for 37 days, an interview and a story about rugby and women’s empowerment every day.
– Interview to Deborah Griffin, Ali Donnelly and Nicky Ponsford – ENGLAND
Read the interview >
– Interview to Keiko Asami and Akane Kagawa – JAPAN
Read the interview >
– ITALY
Read the interview >
– Interview to Abigail Kawonza – ZIMBABWE
Read the interview >