Set to be revealed during the final round of the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations, a brand-new Trophy for the Women’s Championship has been produced.
The Trophy will be unveiled at Twickenham on Saturday 29th April, in front of a record-breaking crowd, where the first team to have its name engraved on the new piece of silverware will be decided.
Former Red Roses Captain, Sarah Hunter will also be helping usher in the new Trophy; introducing it to the fans in the stadium and those watching on television, before the winning team claims the prestigious TikTok Women’s Six Nations title.
Taking over 250 craft-hours to create and standing at 25 inches tall, the new Trophy has been made by hand using silver and gold plate. In keeping with the ambitions of Six Nations Rugby to create the best possible platform for the Women’s Championship to flourish, the new Trophy reflects the challenger mindset of the Women’s Six Nations; not bound by tradition and prepared to do things differently to support the growth of the game.
As such, more traditional Cup designs have made way for a modern silhouette of Trophy, characterised by six arms reaching upwards, with each crest of the six competing nations engraved towards the top of the Trophy.
The 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations has seen another year of exciting growth for the Championship, with match day attendance records tumbling as the rounds have progressed, broadcast viewers up 28% in core markets, and a sharp rise in fans engaging with Six Nations Rugby content, leading to a 187% increase on video views compared to last year.
These numbers build on the foundations laid during the 2022 Championship and signal the sustained trajectory of the women’s game. This impetus to support the growth of women’s rugby and strengthen the platform of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations underpins the sentiment of the design of the new Trophy being revealed.
Commenting on the new Trophy, and the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, Julie Paterson, Director of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said:
“There is a collective ambition from everyone at Six Nations Rugby, alongside our Unions and Federations, to deliver sustainable growth of the women’s game, built on strong foundations, and play our part in raising the game for women’s sport in general. The 2023 Championship has once again shown that elite women’s rugby delivers high class sporting entertainment, and fans have responded with sell-out crowds, creating an incredible atmosphere at games, and by flooding social feeds to engage with the Championship, the teams, and their players.
The introduction of a new bespoke Trophy for the Women’s Six Nations reflects the exciting journey Six Nations Rugby is on. Women’s rugby is a relatively young sport, and we are entering a transformational period for the game as we lead into the World Cup in 2025.”
Sarah Hunter, former Red Roses Captain, added:
“I have been lucky enough to be part of teams that have won the Women’s Six Nations title and lifted the previous Trophy, so I know how special this silverware will be for teams playing in the Championship. Women’s rugby feels like it has never been bigger, but there is also a sense that things are only just getting going. To have this energy poured into the design of the new Trophy is great, and hopefully the players will take extra inspiration from such a clear statement of support for this area of the game.”
With thanks to 6 Nations Rugby
