Rugger buggers scrum down against misogyny

11 May 2015 - 02:10 By Laura Donnelly, ©The Sunday Telegraph

Oxford University in the UK has introduced an anti-sexism initiative in terms of which student rugby players will not be allowed to compete for university teams unless they first attend anti-misogyny workshops. The campaign to combat sexism on campus has resulted in the classes being made a condition of participation on a sports field for the first time.Campaign organisers said they hoped to introduce similar conditions for other sports, such as football, rowing, hockey and cricket, and are talking to other universities about introducing the scheme throughout the UK.Every Oxford rugby team had to sign up for the hour-long workshops before entering this year's campus Cupper knockout tournament.The "good lad" courses will attempt to combat the "lad culture" prevalent on campus. They include discussions about sexual harassment, consent, "lad banter" and team initiation.The idea came from Dave Llewellyn, 27, an Oxford graduate and sportsman who said he was fed up with the levels of boorishness in the locker room.He said many of the jokes and songs that were part of rugby culture promoted sexist attitudes, made women feel uncomfortable and raised the risk of sexual violence. ..

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