World Rugby Launches Initiative to Boost Girls’ Participation in Rugby Ahead of 2025 World Cup
World Rugby has introduced its first dedicated girls’ participation program, aimed at expanding the global active teenage female player base in rugby. This initiative, called Rugby Rising Play, is designed to accelerate the growth of women’s rugby leading up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in 2025.
The pilot program has already been successfully implemented across nine unions in five regions from 2023 to 2024, with plans for more than 40 unions to adopt the new program over the next year. Rugby Rising Play specifically targets girls with no prior rugby experience, offering a structured 10-session curriculum that emphasizes a holistic learning environment aligned with rugby’s core values.
The ultimate goal of Rugby Rising Play is to transition girls into Tier 1 Rugby and other formats, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the sport while ensuring long-term retention. This program is part of World Rugby’s broader global impact initiative, Impact Beyond 2025, launched last month to leverage the excitement of the Women’s Rugby World Cup to create positive change worldwide.
World Rugby Chief of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox, remarked, “Rugby Rising Play signifies a pivotal moment for women and girls in rugby, marking a step forward in our mission to increase accessibility and engagement globally.” She emphasized the program’s commitment to skill development, confidence-building, and instilling rugby’s core values in participants, aiming to keep them connected to the sport for years to come.
Ninette Kruyt, World Rugby’s Women’s Participation Programme Manager, added, “The enthusiasm for Rugby Rising Play has been incredible, providing a unique way for teenage girls to engage with the sport. The record number of applications reflects the growing demand for opportunities that support female players at all levels.”
The pilot program has successfully introduced rugby to a new wave of teenage girls, creating a supportive environment that fosters social engagement and community influence. Many participants are experiencing sports for the first time, with strong backing from government bodies and local leaders, who have actively participated in rugby festivals.
Impact Beyond 2025 complements the RFU’s Impact ‘25 initiative, which aims to accelerate the growth of women’s and girls’ rugby across England and the home nations. The RFU has already secured £12.13 million in government funding to create more opportunities for female players, with the ambition of reaching 100,000 female players by 2027.
With the launch of Rugby Rising Play, World Rugby is taking significant steps to inspire and engage more women and girls in rugby, ensuring a vibrant future for the sport as the Women’s Rugby World Cup approaches.
