Women, rugby, and precarity

The lived experiences of sport as work for Zimbabwean women

Bibliographic Data

ID24230307
AuthorsManase Kudzai Chiweshe (0000-0002-9781-6633, University of Zimbabwe), Calvin Kunaka (University of Zimbabwe), Gerald Dandah (0000-0002-4533-8377, University of Johannesburg)
Year2026
Pages1-20
Publication date2026-01-07
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Sport Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-0981 • E-ISSN: 1743-0445
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17430437.2025.2611248
OpenAlexW7118413665
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited26

This paper explores women’s experiences in Zimbabwe’s rugby scene, focusing on the intersection of sport and labour. While rugby offers potential pathways to empowerment, it remains unsustainable as a career for most female players in Zimbabwe. Despite their dedication and significant time investment, these women face various challenges that undermine their ability to view sport as a viable form of work. Chief among these are low financial compensation, precarious contracts, and the lack of institutional support, which perpetuate the perception of rugby as an unpaid or underpaid hobby rather than a legitimate profession. The research situates these challenges within Zimbabwe’s socioeconomic landscape, a country grappling with economic instability and gender inequality. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data from current and former players, coaches, and administrators, the study explores the economic realities of female rugby players. It highlights their struggles to secure sponsorships, negotiate fair contracts, and balance rugby with other income-generating activities or unpaid domestic labour. Unlike their male counterparts, women in rugby often experience additional hurdles stemming from deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, which view rugby as a male domain and dismiss women’s participation as less valuable.

Domestic work · economic instability · employment contracts · female rugby players · gender inequality in sport · Patriarchy · Precarity · sponsorship · Women's empowerment · Zimbabwean women · Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies · Physical Education and Sports Studies · Sports, Gender, and Society

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