A GLORIOUS summer of sport rolls on with the Women’s Rugby World Cup under way, and the final on September 27.
England’s Red Roses went into the tournament on a 27-game winning streak – topping the rankings – and will want to match the Lionesses’ Euros triumph.
Scotland, Wales and Ireland have all qualified. Ireland are ranked fifth in the world and have good reason to be ambitious.
Wales find themselves in a tough group with Scotland and 2021 semi-finalists Canada.
There’s little doubt the tournament is a great chance to raise the profile of the women’s game.
And The National Lottery is playing its part, with £6billion of funding invested into grassroots sport over the past 30 years.
The funding has helped support 90,000 grassroots sports projects.
Many clubs rely on this investment, which includes more than £173million going to grassroots rugby since 1994.
The funding is changing the game for women and girls’ sport, and is helping to develop many of the players we’ll cheer on over the next few weeks.
180 female players make up teams across all age groups
Ready to ruck ’n’ roll
GENEROUS funding needs commitment and expertise to squeeze out every penny of value.
For Devon’s Ivybridge RFC, National Lottery grants have been maximised thanks to the work of a husband and wife coaching duo.
Georgie Gulliver – an ex-England international with 37 caps – and husband Ben, also a former professional, have helped drive up playing standards at this local club very much on the up.
“Their commitment is invaluable, they set standards here and I know they instil great values in the women’s seniors, many of whom will come and work with the juniors,” says girls’ lead Nikki Moss.
In 2019, the women’s section relocated to the main club site, which was rebuilt thanks to a £225,000 grant from The National Lottery. A further £4,980 of funding in 2020 bought vital equipment.
“It’s quite a large town but it often feels like everybody in the community is involved in the club or using it,” says Nikki.
“It provides a lot of other sports facilities for the community, along with regular social events.”
Ivybridge now has 180 female players, from minis to seniors. Its women’s team just missed out on promotion last season.
“The playing side is always growing,” says Nikki. “And rugby is so inclusive, everyone is valued.”
The club has four players in the Welsh World Cup squad
Hometown try for glory
CEIRW NANT has already made its mark on women’s rugby despite being only six years old.
The small club, located just outside Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley, has contributed four players – two sets of sisters – to the Welsh World Cup squad: Nel and Branwen Metcalfe, and Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement for a club our size,” says club development officer Bedwyr Jones.
“We’re immensely proud of them. It’s a real inspiration for the youngsters to see the pictures of those girls in their national jerseys on the club wall. And they’re often here.”
Ceirw Nant men’s team dates back to 1982.
The women’s took off because half of its junior teams were made up of girls who were unable to progress beyond their early teens because there was no squad for them.
Three grants from The National Lottery and Sport Wales helped add a third playing field and floodlights.
“The money has been an enormous help,” says Bedwyr.
“Without it we’d have struggled, and you can see the impact it’s having. We have a real focus for the game around here.”
In five years the girls’ section has gone from five players to 90
Tackle the challenge
MOST men’s rugby clubs are long established – Cambuslang RFC dates back more than a century.
Yet its girls’ section has grown from five players to 90 in just five years, thanks to the efforts of coaches.
Based in Cambuslang, just southeast of Glasgow, the girls’ section runs teams across all age groups and is in the process of setting up a women’s side to complete the pathway.
It’s reaping dividends. Last year the girls U-16s won the National Youth Cup, while four players were chosen for the Scotland U-18 squad in August.
The overarching aim is to transform Cambuslang into a rugby academy.
The club has received more than £524,000 of funding from The National Lottery since 1996, which has enabled it to buy equipment and to pay for part-time staff to drive recruitment and coaching.
“We are focused on growing the club and the sport to build on the success we’ve had so far,” says Andrew Johnston, head of rugby development.
“The effect Lottery funding has is huge, and its impact can’t just be measured in pure numbers.
“Ultimately, it’s about young people’s development and the opportunity to play sport.”
The earliest recorded woman to play rugby came from this club
Breaking through
ENNISKILLEN RFC in Co Fermanagh has much to celebrate in its centenary year.
The area has a particularly proud heritage in the women’s game, having produced Emily Valentine, the earliest recorded woman to play rugby in 1887.
Its women’s section originally started up in 2002 but disbanded for a decade, while the youth section began in 2014 and is now thriving with approximately 160 players.
Last year the seniors narrowly missed out on qualification for the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division.
“Boys’ and girls’ rugby are different animals entirely,” says girls’ youth convener Ian Ross.
“We want to be inclusive and we want them to feel safe and enjoy themselves.
“The skills can come later but to be honest it’s snowballing. Our numbers are fantastic and we’re enjoying success too – and success breeds numbers.”
The club has received £60,000 in National Lottery funding, so far used to improve floodlighting so training can take place all year round, and to launch the SKINclusions squad for players with disabilities.
“I can’t tell you how vital funding is to clubs like us,” says Ian.
“We’re growing so fast the facilities can’t keep up. We badly need more cash. Four changing rooms for all the teams is unworkable.”
The National Lottery changes lives every day. Find out how at national-lottery.co.uk/life-changing
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