Women’s Rugby World Cup final features genderfluid player among out LGBTQ stars
More than 80,000 fans are set to attend Saturday’s showdown between England and Canada, with Asia Hogan-Rochester one to watch. The post Women’s Rugby World Cup final features genderfluid player among out LGBTQ stars appeared first on Outsports.
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The acceleration of interest in women’s rugby has been obvious throughout the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which comes to a conclusion Saturday.
Alongside ticket sales that have more than tripled in comparison to the last tournament four years ago, there have also been record viewing figures in the host nation, England. The global broadcast data will surely show similar levels of extended reach.
Alongside the big attendances and enthusiasm has been a celebration of queer representation in the game, and the Twickenham final between the Red Roses and Canada will be no exception.
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Sophie de Goede, one of Canada’s contingent of publicly out LGBTQ players, top-scored with 14 points to eliminate the six-time world champions.
Before the World Cup began, Outsports was aware of at least 54 publicly out LGBTQ players in the 16 squads, while recognizing there would be many others who are not so visible.
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From the two teams that ended up making it to the final, we celebrated 14 queer stars — nine from England, and five from Canada.
Available to add to the latter group is Asia Hogan-Rochester, who came into the Maple Leafs XV after fellow wing Fancy Bermudez was injured in the opening game.
Since scoring a try in that second pool match against Wales, Hogan-Rochester has been an ever-present in the Canada starting side and could be considered a breakout star for 15s rugby.
Also, in what could be a first for a World Cup final in any sport, they are a player who publicly identifies as genderfluid.
@rugbyworldcup Magical #RWC2025 ♬ Experience – Ludovico Einaudi
A graduate of Toronto’s York University who also excelled in track and field, they were part of the sevens squads that won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games and silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
They spoke about their nonbinary gender identity on an episode of the “Flame Bearers” vodcast earlier this year.
“I represent a couple different communities, like all of us,” said the 26-year-old.
“I am a black person. I am a genderfluid person. I use she / they pronouns. I would hope to show people from those communities, in summary, that you can do it too.”
@flame_bearers Meet Rugby Olympian Asia Hogan-Rochester, who didn't see athletes like them growing up – now they're changing that! As one of the few Black athletes in Canadian rugby, they're blazing trails and breaking barriers. Through poetry, fashion, and Olympic excellence, they're showing the next generation that representation matters. Their motto? "Show no fear to your fears, and what you fear will fear you." Listen to their full story – new episode out now
#FlameBearers #TeamCanada #Rugby #Paris2024 #RugbyLife #Sports ♬ AURA – Ogryzek
Hogan-Rochester’s profile has grown throughout this World Cup, in part due to their penchant for wearing face glitter in matches and their openness in interviews.
Talking recently to Sportsbeat, they described how welcome they’ve been made to feel in the team’s locker room and the sport more widely.
“I feel very respected within my gender identity within my team and within rugby as well, and being seen for who I am and nothing more and nothing else, which is a great feeling,” they said.
“It is important to have representation… So if I can be a part of a bit of representation for others within the queer space, I am so happy to do that.”
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Hogan-Rochester touched down for their second try of the tournament in Canada’s stunning semifinal win over New Zealand, in which teammate Sophie de Goede moved to within one point of top spot in the individual scoring charts.
De Goede is another publicly out LGBTQ player, and was named this week as one of three finalists for the prestigious World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year Award.
It’s the highest honor in the Test game, and the outcome of Saturday’s final could go a long way towards deciding the outcome. Also on the shortlist of three is England center Meg Jones, who has enjoyed a stellar tournament.
Jones, who is in a long-term relationship with Celia Quansah (they played sevens together for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics), will be part of an unchanged Red Roses XV at Twickenham.
That confirmed team announcement means Hannah Botterman and Amy Cokayne will also provide out LGBTQ representation on the pitch from the start, with Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan and Holly Aitchison listed among the replacements.
Finally, the referee — Scottish official Hollie Davidson — is also out and proud, and will become only the second person in rugby history to take charge of two World Cup finals.
Davidson was also in the middle for New Zealand’s win over England in Auckland in 2021, and follows in the footsteps of South Africa’s Andre Watson, who officiated the men’s World Cup finals in 1999 and 2003.
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The post Women’s Rugby World Cup final features genderfluid player among out LGBTQ stars appeared first on Outsports.
