News article
World Rugby launches first participation programme for girls
World Rugby has launched its first bespoke girls’ participation programme with the aim of expanding the number of active teenage female players globally.
The goal is to accelerate the rise of women’s rugby beyond the 2025 edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which is set to take place in England.
Titled Rugby Rising Play, the programme has been designed to support girls with no previous rugby experience, guiding them through a tailored scheme featuring 10 structured sessions. The ultimate goal is to advance girls into playing T1 Rugby (non-contact) and other formats of the game.
It is also crucial to the programme to drive retention of girls playing rugby, creating a life-long affiliation with the sport.
Applications opened earlier this year for eligible unions, which led to more than 40 being selected to take part in the programme.
“Rugby Rising Play represents a landmark moment for the women and girls’ game and a tangible step forward in our mission to broaden access and engagement for girls worldwide."
“Rugby Rising Play represents a landmark moment for the women and girls’ game and a tangible step forward in our mission to broaden access and engagement for girls worldwide,” commented World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby Sally Horrox.
“The recent success of the pilot shows the incredible appetite for rugby among girls, and we are committed to ensuring that this programme not only introduces them to the sport but also provides a meaningful pathway to develop their skills, build confidence, and embed rugby’s core values. Our ambition is to keep them engaged and connected with rugby for many years to come.
“By investing in future generations, we’re creating a more vibrant and sustainable future for rugby on the road to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond.”
Rugby Rising Play forms part of World Rugby’s global impact programme, Impact Beyond 2025, which officially launched last month. Aimed at harnessing the power of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the programme is built on three core pillars and nine strategic initiatives.