- RFU to build on strong foundations to capitalise on World Cup momentum
- Growing player numbers; fans and revenue key to maintaining momentum
- Action plan updated two years early in recognition of the dramatic change and success in the women’s and girls’ game since 2021
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has today unveiled Every Rose: Our Time, a five-year action plan to build on the success of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and drive the next era of growth for women’s and girls’ rugby in England.
The plan sets out a clear ambition: to position England as the global leader in women’s rugby, both on and off the field, while inspiring the next generation of players, fans, coaches, and match officials.
Since the launch of the last Every Rose action plan in 2021, women’s and girls’ rugby in England has been transformed. What was once seen as an emerging part of the game is now firmly established as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with momentum at every level. For example:
- Participation has surged – the number of female players has risen by 38%, with over 500 clubs now offering women’s and girls’ rugby.
- The Red Roses have set new standards – being ranked number one in the world, winning the World Cup, going on a streak of seven consecutive Six Nations titles, and breaking their own world record with 33 consecutive wins.
- Visibility has grown dramatically – match attendances have more than doubled, with record-breaking crowds at Allianz Stadium and a database of women’s rugby fans that has tripled to over 200,000.
- Investment has accelerated – annual funding in the women’s and girls’ game has tripled since 2021, enabling the creation of hundreds of new teams, more professional opportunities, and stronger pathways.
- Leadership and representation have strengthened – with more than 1,400 women newly qualified as coaches and match officials, creating role models and opportunities across the community game.
Together, these achievements have reshaped perceptions of the women’s game and laid the foundations for the next stage of growth.
Building on this momentum, Every Rose: Our Time focuses on four priorities for the next five years:
- Play – Grow participation to 100,000 active players with 70,000 of those officially registered with clubs, and ensure more women and girls start, stay and thrive in rugby.
- Perform – Maintain the Red Roses as a world-leading team, including through retaining the World Cup in 2029, with strong player pathways and thriving domestic leagues, including supporting Premiership Women’s Rugby.
- Follow – Attract and engage more women’s rugby fans through deeper connections and more memorable match-days – growing the number of passionate fans of the Red Roses to 3 million (as measured by YouGov)
- Fund – Grow revenue through innovative partnerships, match-day opportunities and tailored commercial growth with a target of doubling revenue to £60m to help fuel the game’s future.
Bill Sweeney, RFU Chief Executive, said: “Women’s and girls’ rugby represents a massive growth opportunity in our sport and we are proud of the fact that as a union we have long recognised this and are starting to reap the reward. With Every Rose: Our Time, we are setting out not just a plan for rugby, but a statement of ambition for women’s sport more broadly. This is our time to lead, inspire and deliver lasting change.”
Alex Teasdale, Executive Director of the Women’s Game, added: “The momentum behind women’s rugby has never been greater and we are really proud of the role we are playing in the game. We want every woman and girl to feel they have a place in rugby, so this plan is about connection, opportunity, and growth – creating a future where women’s rugby thrives at every level.”
“It’s not about tearing up our existing plans and starting again. We have strong foundations, and they are taking us to great places – this is about keeping our foot on the gas, staying focused on what works, and making sure the areas that need more support get it.”
The RFU will work closely with clubs, players, schools, universities, brands and fans to deliver the plan and ensure women’s rugby continues to break new ground on and off the field.
With thanks to the RFU
