RFU launches £12m initiative to grow women’s grassroots rugby

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has launched its new Impact ’25 campaign, a “transformational legacy programme” that looks to create and improve opportunities for women and girls to get involved in rugby.

Impact ’25, which has already seen £12.13m of Government funding committed to the sport in England and the home unions up to the end of March 2025, will be delivered by the RFU in partnership with UK Government, Sport England and UK Sport. The programme will provide substantial improvements in facilities and greater opportunities for females at all levels of the game in England, with a range of support being offered to clubs across four key pillars: Facility Development, Coaches and Match Officials, Playing and Volunteering, and Community and Fan Engagement.

RFU Chief Executive, Bill Sweeney, said: “The opportunity to grow the women’s and girls’ game was a primary driver behind our bid to host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, and we are very grateful to Government for committing funding to this transformational programme as part of the tournament. Working together with Government, UK Sport, Sport England and World Rugby we will create a legacy for women’s rugby in England and the home nations, both in terms of attracting more fans and people to play, coach, officiate and volunteer.”

The RFU has an ambition of having 100,000 female players by 2027.