A four-year programme linked to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has helped bring around 40,000 girls into rugby, with participation at girls’ clubs rising by 49%.
The figures come from a new Rugby Football Union report on Impact ’25, which was backed by £13.6 million of government funding administered by Sport England. Its aim was to turn England’s hosting of the tournament into lasting growth in the community game.
The results point to more opportunities for women and girls to play, coach and officiate rugby across England, as well as better-equipped clubs ready to welcome them.
More welcoming clubs and facilities
During the programme, 1,078 grants were awarded to 607 clubs. The funding helped improve facilities and make them more suitable for women and girls.
Sport England’s £6.8 million contribution towards facilities also encouraged clubs to find additional support, with a further £14.8 million raised during the programme.
Impact ’25 also focused on teenage participation and helping female players move from universities into community clubs, strengthening the pathway into adult rugby.
More women qualifying as coaches and officials
Women completed 5,449 coaching and match official courses over the four years. Almost a third were funded through Impact ’25, helping remove course fees as a barrier to taking part.
Women made up 28% of newly qualified coaches and match officials during the programme, compared with 9% before it began.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s executive director for partnerships and place, said the focus was now on turning the momentum around the Red Roses and the World Cup into lasting opportunities.
Government funding committed to rugby in England and the home unions reached £14.55 million up to the end of March 2026, including the £13.6 million administered by Sport England. Sport England’s investment in the RFU has topped £30 million since 2022.
The next target for women’s rugby
The RFU has launched a five-year plan called Every Rose: Our Time. It aims to have 100,000 active female players by 2030, including 70,000 registered with clubs.
The organisation is also continuing work on female health and wellbeing. It has partnered with Women in Sport and launched a standalone policy addressing anti-sexism and misogyny, becoming the first major British sport to do so.
The RFU says the World Cup victory was intended as a starting point rather than an endpoint. The programme’s next challenge will be to build on the increased participation and make sure clubs remain inclusive places for women and girls.
Why this is good news for Britain
The programme has expanded sporting opportunities for girls and women while helping clubs improve facilities and attract further investment. It has also created a stronger route into coaching and officiating, giving more women a role in the future of community rugby.
