What will 2025 mean for rugby?
It's 2025...and that means it's a World Cup year!
What will 2025 mean for rugby? What will it mean for women in rugby?
This year England host the World Cup.
It feels like this World Cup could be a crucial moment for further widening the viewership and participation of rugby.
This World Cup, in part due to WXV, will be a series of very competitive matches.
I also want this World Cup to propel women forward within rugby and to take a huge step forward in helping to remove some of the barriers for women across all levels of the sport.
This is a moment of antipication. So for the first article of 2025, a World Cup year, here are some thoughts from people in my network, friends and past contributors on what they think the upcoming World Cup will mean for rugby.
Excitement is building
Andy Stevens and Russell Earnshaw are looking forward to players being showcased on a world stage and creating opportunities for fans to connect with the sport:
“RWC will introduce rugby, and particularly women’s rugby, to a wider audience and showcase the players for the athletes they are. This can only help grow the female game.” - Andy Stevens, ERRFC U16s Lead coach & U18s Girls assistant coach, Bath Rugby Academy U16s Lead Coach and my Coaching Bestie.
“England are currently the best team in the world, playing rugby that entertains and inspires and have a remarkable connection with their fans. A home World Cup creates the opportunity for even more people to be part of the rugby family.” - Russell Earnshaw, Coach developer and all-round cool person.
Inspiring future players
This World Cup will inspire future and current players. It’s important that this feeling is harnessed. Sue Burton and Kim Oliver explain:
“I think the great thing about the women's World Cup, and other recent competitions, is that it's now creating the same buzz and inspiration, not only in girls, but young boys as well. It's shining a spotlight on strong, powerful and dedicated women playing the same game as the men and doing it better in some cases!” - Sue Burton, player and friend.
“The Women’s Rugby World Cup being here in England is extremely exciting. I believe it will have a hugely positive impact on the game for all. Women’s rugby is growing super fast and is a really exciting game to watch. It will increase exposure for rugby world wide hopefully bringing in more sponsorship for all involved. I hope to see more girls and boys picking up a ball and enjoying our wonderful game. Having female athletes they can look up to, replicate and be inspired by is really important. I am so proud of where our sport has come over the last few years and I can’t wait to see what this World Cup brings.” - Kim Oliver, Lead mentor and assistant coach at Trailfinders Women
Progress still needed
Alongside the excitement, there is a recognition that change and progress is still needed within rugby. It’s important to use this global moment to speak out and ensure equitable growth continues. Polly Barnes and Michele van Rooyen share their views:
"The eyes of the world will be on women's rugby in 2025, and with that comes a great opportunity to push for change for players. Despite brand sponsors, advertising and broadcasters generating hype and awareness for the Rugby World Cup off the back of the brilliant rugby being played, there is still such a lot that needs to change for its external image to match the day-to-day reality of the vast majority of women who play it. The time is now to speak out, speak up, be demanding and lobby for the opportunities, budgets and conditions the women's game needs to continue to thrive and grow fairly - even after the trophy is lifted and the floodlights are turned off." - Polly Barnes, Director and Co-Founder of the Women's Rugby Association
“I think the upcoming World Cup will be huge for Women’s rugby 15s. However for the international game to continue to grow, then we really need to develop wider than just in England. We must take a lead from what England have done and build on that foundation. However, that must not be at the cost of the 7s game.” - Michele van Rooyen, Analyst who's worked within South African Rugby and Coaching Care Creativity contributor
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