The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking initiative known as Impact ’25, in partnership with the UK Government, Sport England, and UK Sport, with the purpose of harnessing the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to instigate positive transformations for women’s and girls’ rugby in the United Kingdom. The initiative has successfully secured a substantial £12.13 million in funding designated for grassroots women’s and girls’ rugby throughout the country.
Scheduled to be a momentous celebration of women’s rugby, the Rugby World Cup 2025, a collaborative effort between World Rugby and the RFU, is positioned to set new standards, attract fresh audiences, and fuel widespread growth in the sport. As part of the legacy programme, York Rugby Union is among the numerous clubs chosen to benefit from this programme, paving the way for the expansion of women’s and girls’ rugby in Yorkshire, the Humber and beyond. Additionally, the York Community Stadium has been selected as a host venue for the upcoming tournament, adding further anticipation to the event.
The Impact ’25 programme is developed to accelerate the advancement of women’s and girls’ rugby by delivering substantial and enduring enhancements in facilities and opportunities at all levels of the sport. These improvements revolve around four key pillars: Facility Development, Coaches and Match Officials, Playing and Volunteering, and Community and Fan Engagement, ensuring a comprehensive strategy for the growth of women’s rugby in England.
To mark the countdown to the Rugby World Cup 2025, 500 days from today, Councillor Claire Douglas, York Rugby Union Youth Section, and the RFU convened to commemorate the tournament’s legacy programme. Due to Impact ’25, 25 clubs have already been granted funding to upgrade their facilities, making the environment more welcoming for female players. Moreover, the programme has supported coaches and match officials, granted funding to establish U12s activities at clubs, and invested in infrastructure updates for clubs such as the York Rugby Union, which aims to increase female player participation for the upcoming season.
The primary objective of Impact ’25 is to expedite the growth of women’s rugby, aligning with the RFU’s ambitious goal of 100,000 female players by 2027. The women’s game in England is already flourishing, with the Red Roses presently ranked as the top team in the world and female participation numbers exceeding 40,000 across over 800 clubs. The forthcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and its legacy programme are anticipated to be a game-changer for the sport, ushering in a new era of positive perceptions and driving local community benefits across the nation, particularly in the host cities.
The Impact ’25 funding, which is allocated for four years up to 2025-26, supports the RFU’s Every Rose action plan and the tournament’s objective to reach new audiences and inspire a generation of fans. The programme also encompasses all home nations, providing funding to aid the development of female coaches and match officials.
Prominent figures from various sectors have voiced their support for Impact ’25, including Councillor Claire Douglas, who lauded the beneficial impact the legacy programme has already had on community sports clubs. Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, conveyed appreciation to the government for committing funding to this transformative programme, emphasizing the progress being made and the anticipated advancement in the approaching months and years.
The Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew, commended the potential impacts of Impact ’25, aligning with the government’s objectives to promote active participation in sports, particularly for women and girls. Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director at Sport England, echoed the sentiments, underscoring the advantages of sport for women and girls and the strategic support for the RFU’s target of 100,000 women and girls playing rugby by 2027.
In addition to the institutional endorsements, players from the Red Roses, Sarah Bern and Amber Reed, expressed their excitement and support for women and girls to engage in rugby, highlighting the positive impact that the upcoming tournament and the Impact ’25 programme will have on the sport.
Overall, the Impact ’25 legacy programme presents an unprecedented opportunity to bring about a positive shift in the landscape of women’s and girls’ rugby, not only at a national level but also within local communities. As the countdown to the much-anticipated Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 continues, the legacy programme serves as a testament to the commitment towards inclusive and sustainable growth of the sport for women and girls across the UK.