Women, rugby, and precarity: The lived experiences of sport as work for Zimbabwean women

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.