The Chief Executive Officer of the Rugby Football Union, Bill Sweeney, has presented an ambitious plan for the Red Roses as they prepare for the 2025 World Cup. The team is fully prepared to host matches against formidable opponents New Zealand and France in September, marking the start of the countdown to the esteemed tournament.
With New Zealand and France presently occupying the second and third world rankings, these upcoming matches are anticipated to be an exhilarating showdown, offering an early glimpse into the form of both teams. The fixtures will not only function as a build-up towards the WXV1 tournament in Canada but also as a preparation for the highly anticipated 2025 World Cup, which England will have the privilege of hosting.
During an event at North Bristol Rugby Club, which also marked 500 days until the World Cup commences, Bill Sweeney conveyed his enthusiasm for the transformative impact that the upcoming fixtures and legacy programme will have on women’s rugby. He underlined the RFU’s ambitious goal of attaining 100,000 female players by 2027, stating that the legacy programme is well on its way to realizing this objective.
The Impact ’25 programme, made possible through a substantial £12 million commitment from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, seeks to revolutionize women’s and girls’ rugby in England. The RFU has already invested over £3 million in 655 clubs nationwide, supporting more than 1,200 coaches and match officials, and providing grants to kickstart under-12s rugby activity in close to 350 clubs.
As the CEO accentuated the concerted effort to expand the women’s game across the country, he stressed the significance of showcasing women’s sport, drawing parallels to the increasing popularity and success of women’s football and cricket. The collaborative efforts of the RFU, UK Government, Sport England, and UK Sport through Impact ’25 are expected to bring about significant improvements in facilities, coaching, playing opportunities, and community engagement for women and girls involved in rugby.
The much-anticipated 2025 World Cup is scheduled to take place in eight venues across the country, with Twickenham set to host the final. The aim is to surpass the current world record attendance for a women’s Test match, which stands at 58,498 spectators, a feat achieved in the previous England-France encounter.
Bill Sweeney expressed his gratitude to the government for their commitment to the transformational Impact ’25 programme, emphasizing how the legacy of the 2025 World Cup will be instrumental in attracting more fans and participants to women’s rugby in England and the home nations. With significant progress already being witnessed through Impact ’25, further advancements are expected in the lead-up to the tournament and beyond.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming fixtures and the transformative Impact ’25 programme underscore the promising future of women’s rugby, with the Red Roses poised to leave an indelible legacy in the sport.