🔗 Share this article

The RFU has committed to keeping up momentum by revealing a long-term action plan designed to leverage the triumph of the Red Roses' Women’s Rugby World Cup win.

Core Targets of the Strategy

Dubbed Our Time: Every Rose, the initiative details several bold targets, including becoming the first English squad to claim consecutive global tournament wins.

An additional major aim is to increase participation to one hundred thousand participants taking part in rugby across the UK by 2030, currently standing at the present number of sixty thousand.

Revenue and Audience Ambitions

The RFU is also working to double its revenues from the women’s game to sixty million pounds, permitting increased investment in grassroots the sport.

Additionally, the strategy features a objective of gaining 3m passionate supporters.

“The pressures have reached a peak,” remarked a senior official, leading the women's sport division. “The opportunity has reached new heights, but inaction is not possible because the wheels are now underway.”

Creating a Path for Women’s Rugby

Teasdale stressed that female rugby has progressed significantly since she started at the rugby union in the year 2011, when there were just twelve thousand five hundred registered players.

The director noted that in some clubs, while women could technically play, they faced a lack of welcome as well.

Regardless of the advancements made, she maintained that more action is required to elevate the rugby, even during a cost of living crisis.

Historic Milestone and Long-term Goals

“Recently, we saw an outstanding milestone as 82,000 fans flooded through the stadium at Allianz Stadium to see our Red Roses claim the global championship,” she said.

“Looking ahead to 2030, we want to sustain this progress going.”

Hurdles and Opportunities

Teasdale continued that the body works in an environment where resources are restricted, which can result in tough decisions.

“Visionary initiatives, especially for the women's sport, naturally disrupt the status quo,” she noted. “Yet the truth is clear: the destiny of rugby relies on the women’s game.”

Audience Growth and Ongoing Commitment

At the same time, the RFU chief executive, a senior leader, highlighted that of the 400,000 attendees who visited the global tournament, 30% had not once been to a game previously.

“Possibly the figure that genuinely enthuses us is that ninety percent indicated they want to come back and do it all over again,” he commented. “However we must not be satisfied. We have to keep our foot on the gas.”