The RFU has committed to sustaining forward drive by revealing a half-decade action plan designed to capitalize on the achievement of the Red Roses' Women’s Rugby World Cup win.
Primary Objectives of the Plan
Dubbed Every Rose: Our Time, the initiative outlines several ambitious objectives, including aiming to be the pioneering England side to secure consecutive Rugby World Cup titles.
An additional primary goal is to expand engagement to 100,000 participants taking part in rugby throughout the UK by the year 2030, rising from the existing number of 60,000.
Financial and Audience Ambitions
The national rugby authority is also aiming to increase twofold its earnings from the women's sport to £60 million, allowing increased support in grassroots the sport.
Furthermore, the strategy sets out a objective of building 3m loyal followers.
“The pressures have reached a peak,” stated a senior official, leading the women's sport division. “The potential has never been bigger, but inaction is not an option because the wheels are now fully in motion.”
Creating a Legacy for Women’s Rugby
The director emphasized that women’s rugby has advanced greatly since joining at the governing body in the year 2011, when there were only twelve thousand five hundred registered players.
The director noted that at certain clubs, although women could technically play, they faced a lack of welcome too.
In spite of the advancements made, she insisted that more work is necessary to strengthen the sport, even during a financial pressures.
Historic Event and Forward-looking Goals
“In the latest match, we experienced an outstanding achievement as eighty-two thousand fans flooded through the stadium at Allianz Stadium to see our Red Roses claim the World Cup title,” she stated.
“Looking ahead to the year 2030, we intend to keep this momentum continuing.”
Challenges and Prospects
She added that the body functions in an context where resources are limited, which can result in challenging discussions.
“Bold plans, particularly for the women's sport, naturally question the current situation,” she said. “But the truth is evident: the future of the game is tied to the women’s game.”
Fan Engagement and Future Commitment
Additionally, the CEO, the chief executive, noted that of the four hundred thousand spectators who attended the global tournament, 30% had not previously attended a rugby match in the past.
“Maybe the figure that really excites us is that the vast majority stated they want to come back and repeat the experience,” he remarked. “But we should not be satisfied. We must continue pushing forward.”
