Rugby: A Sport for All
Rugby, in all its exhilarating forms, has long been a bastion of strength, skill, and camaraderie. Yet, for too long, the playing field has not been truly level for women. Thankfully, a groundswell of grassroots initiatives is empowering female athletes, referees, and officials, reshaping the landscape of this dynamic sport.
The Importance of Women’s Participation
The benefits of increased women’s participation in rugby are manifold. Not only does it foster greater gender diversity and inclusivity, but it also unlocks a wellspring of untapped talent and perspective. As World Rugby’s Chief of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox, aptly noted, “To grow the game of rugby, we need more women in leadership roles both on and off the pitch.”
However, the challenges women face in rugby are not to be underestimated. Societal biases, financial barriers, and persistent discrimination have long hindered their full participation. Overcoming these obstacles requires a concerted, multi-faceted approach.
Grassroots Initiatives: Driving Change
Enter the Grassroots to Global Series – a powerful initiative spearheaded by World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby. This program brings together emerging female leaders from community rugby, empowering them to exchange ideas and craft action plans for enhancing gender inclusion within their local rugby ecosystems.
“Grassroots to Global shows what’s possible when we empower girls and women in rugby,” affirms ChildFund Rugby’s Deputy Director, Megan Knight. “The initiative reveals both the challenges they face – from financial barriers to discrimination – and what keeps them engaged: especially the vital role of female coaches and community role models.”
Empowering Women in Refereeing and Officiating
Breaking Down Stereotypes
One of the key focus areas of the Grassroots to Global Series is increasing female participation in refereeing and officiating roles. Historically, these domains have been male-dominated, perpetuating the perception that rugby is a sport for men, by men.
“Too often, we’ve seen examples of intolerance, racism, hatred and violence during sporting events,” notes the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace. “Sport organizations, managers, players and fans must do all they can to combat these ills and fully harness the positive power of sport.”
By empowering women to take on these pivotal roles, the rugby community can challenge long-held stereotypes and create a more equitable playing field – both literally and figuratively.
Skill Development and Mentorship Programs
To support these efforts, the Grassroots to Global Series has partnered with Gallagher’s High Performance Academy (GHPA) – a fully immersive global development and leadership program focused on enhancing the prominence of female coaches and increasing the competitiveness of the women’s game.
The GHPA Masterclass, held in Vancouver, brought together 2024 GHPA coaches Carolyn McEwen (Canada) and Maz Reilly (Ireland) to deliver a hands-on training session for female leaders in community rugby, aged 16-30 years. This masterclass aimed to inspire emerging leaders, reinforce the shared mission of increasing female participation in coaching, and create a strong pipeline for women in officiating roles.
“By providing a platform for female coaches to thrive, the GHPA is contributing to the advancement of women in rugby and setting the stage for a more diverse future in the sport,” explains Gallagher’s Chief Marketing Officer, Christopher Mead.
Increased Representation and Visibility
Diversity and Inclusivity in Rugby
As the Grassroots to Global Series and the GHPA initiatives continue to gain momentum, the impact on diversity and inclusivity within rugby is becoming increasingly evident.
“Together, Grassroots to Global and the Gallagher High Performance Academy contribute to a more inclusive and diverse rugby ecosystem,” states World Rugby’s Chief of Women’s Rugby, Sally Horrox.
One of the most powerful aspects of these programs is their ability to amplify the voices and experiences of female rugby leaders, creating a ripple effect that inspires the next generation of players, referees, and officials.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Beyond simply increasing participation, these grassroots initiatives are also paving the way for women to ascend to leadership positions within the sport. By fostering mentorship, skill development, and networking opportunities, they are opening doors and shattering glass ceilings.
“To grow the game of rugby, we need more women in leadership roles both on and off the pitch,” Horrox emphasizes. “It’s great to have ChildFund Rugby and Gallagher onboard who share a common goal to recruit more girls and women into coaching from the grassroots community level right the way through to the elite end of the game, through training, coaching, and mentoring.”
The Impact of Grassroots Initiatives
Measurable Progress
The success of these grassroots initiatives is already evident in the tangible progress they’ve achieved. In the previous Grassroots to Global series, a key finding was that female coaches are a critical driver in increasing female participation in rugby. The 2025 series, therefore, places a strong emphasis on expanding female coaching opportunities at the community level.
Moreover, the Gallagher High Performance Academy has already supported 37 female coaches since 2023, with the ultimate aim of having 40 percent female coaches at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Beyond the quantifiable results, the true power of these grassroots initiatives lies in their ability to inspire and empower the next generation of female rugby leaders. By creating a network of driven, passionate individuals, they are laying the groundwork for a more equitable and inclusive future in the sport.
As ChildFund Rugby’s Megan Knight eloquently states, “By building a connected network of driven leaders across the women’s game, we’re creating the foundation for rugby’s more equitable future.”
At Aberdeenshire RFC, we firmly believe in the transformative power of these grassroots initiatives. By empowering women in rugby, both on and off the pitch, we can unlock a wealth of talent, perspective, and passion that will undoubtedly propel the sport to new heights. Join us in championing this inspiring movement and shaping the future of rugby.