The England captain Meg Jones is seeking fertility assistance for her squad, including egg preservation, so that female athletes do not miss out on starting a family due to their professional commitments.
Speaking to BBC Sport after checking her egg count at a clinic alongside her fiancée, Jones made clear that her chance to start a family should not be denied merely because she chose to play rugby.
Jones’s fertility journey so far
Jones, 29, had already considered freezing eggs with her fiancée before their visit to the clinic. That plan changed after they went there.
“We were looking to freeze, but actually the advice was we don’t need to freeze yet so we can probably wait till after the wedding,” Jones said. “That’s where we were going to look to conceive.”
She described herself as an “open book” on some subjects and said she wants to share her journey openly as she plans both her wedding and starting a family.
What the Red Roses offer now
One of the best maternity policies in international women’s sport is already held by the Red Roses. Two World Cup winners have recently given birth, while two more players are currently expecting.
England players are presently entitled to a week of paid leave per treatment cycle for treatment and appointments. There is no set policy on financial compensation for fertility treatment for these players, although it is understood that talks are underway at the RFU and such provisions may be introduced down the line.
The RFU’s response
A spokesperson for the Rugby Football Union (RFU) addressed the matter of fertility packages for England players, saying: “We work hard to support players in the decisions they make around fertility and family planning and are proud to have been at the forefront of industry-leading support in this area.”
“We already have comprehensive maternity and parental policies in place and are always open to exploring how that support can evolve.”
Other sports leading the way
On the “The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby” podcast, Jones brought up the matter during a conversation about the Spanish football federation’s announcement that it would pay for its international women’s players freezing their eggs.
The Observer reported that Chelsea set up a fund which would cover the cost of the whole squad freezing their eggs. The club announced the arrangement in August, alongside a partnership with a fertility company providing workshops, treatments, counselling and assessments for the players’ benefit.
Why Jones wants change
Ahead of Saturday’s fixture between England and Australia, Jones told BBC Sport that she had not previously considered whether the RFU offered fertility support.
“I wouldn’t have thought it was something that we were lacking from maybe a governing point of view, but now I think about it I’m like, yeah, actually, I haven’t got that opportunity to go and create a family and be guided on,” Jones said.
“It’s definitely been flagged with our group. Again, you learn so much from other teams… and I think the more we can empower women the better for the game as a whole, and better for women in general.”
The timing of the push
Jones’s comments come as several clubs and federations move toward covering fertility costs for female athletes. Chelsea’s fund covers the whole squad, and the Spanish federation’s plan applies to its international women’s players.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August | Chelsea women unveil partnership with fertility company |
| Saturday | England vs Australia match |
The road ahead
England’s rugby union team does not currently have a set policy on paying for fertility treatment costs. The RFU, however, has stated that it is continually willing to look into how its support arrangements might develop further.
The guidance Jones received is something she wants for her teammates, too. She views that kind of support as a way of helping women in sport.
Jones has reported that the issue has been brought up with the group, and she continues to push for progress. The talk is already underway inside the squad.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.