🔗 Share this article

The RFU has pledged to sustaining momentum by launching a half-decade action plan designed to leverage the triumph of England's World Cup victory.

Key Goals of the Initiative

Dubbed A New Era for Every Rose, the initiative outlines several significant goals, such as aiming to be the inaugural England team to achieve consecutive global tournament titles.

An additional primary aim is to increase engagement to 100,000 women and girls taking part in rugby across the UK by 2030, up from the present total of 60,000.

Economic and Fan Base Targets

The RFU is also aiming to increase twofold its earnings from the women’s game to £60m, allowing increased funding in community rugby.

Additionally, the plan sets out a target of gaining three million loyal Red Roses fans.

“The challenges have never been higher,” commented the executive director, the executive director of the women’s game. “The chance has reached new heights, but sitting still is not possible because the progress are now underway.”

Fostering a Legacy for Female Rugby

The director stressed that female rugby has progressed significantly since her beginning at the governing body in 2011, when there were merely 12,500 participants.

The director noted that within some teams, while women weren’t stopped, they faced a lack of welcome either.

In spite of the developments made, she insisted that additional work is required to boost the game, despite a cost of living crisis.

Unprecedented Milestone and Long-term Vision

“Recently, we experienced an remarkable milestone as 82,000 fans entered the stadium at Allianz Stadium to see our national team claim the World Cup title,” she said.

“Looking ahead to the next decade, we aim to keep this drive continuing.”

Hurdles and Potential

The director explained that the body works in an landscape where budgets are restricted, which can lead to difficult decisions.

“Ambitious strategies, especially for the women’s game, naturally question the status quo,” she said. “However the truth is evident: the long-term prospects of the sport depends on the female rugby.”

Fan Engagement and Future Focus

Meanwhile, the head of the rugby union, Bill Sweeney, noted that of the four hundred thousand fans who visited the global tournament, nearly a third had not previously been to a game in the past.

“Maybe the data point that truly excites us is that 90% stated they would like to come back and repeat the experience,” he remarked. “But we must not rest on these laurels. We must continue pushing forward.”