Growing Women’s Rugby Is Priority For RFU, Women’s Team Rebrands As Red Roses

The England Women’s rugby team has been rebranded the Red Roses in a campaign reinforcing England Rugby’s commitment to growing women’s rugby.

RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie said at the launch today at Twickenham: “Today England Rugby has demonstrated its commitment to the women’s game. We wanted to create an identity for England Women that would inspire more people to get involved whether playing or supporting the women’s game. With more professional contracts, and ever-increasing investment in the women’s game from grassroots to elite level, we feel this is a pivotal moment to shine a spotlight on the game in this country.

“We want to grow our fan base and ultimately get more women and girls considering rugby as an option for them to play.

“Intrinsically linked with England Rugby, the red rose encapsulates so much of what it means to be an England player.”

Development Director of Rugby Steve Grainger said that over 26,000 women and girls regularly play contact rugby, surpassing the RFU’s women and girls strategy target of 25,000, one year ahead of schedule.

He said: “We have created more playing opportunities in schools, clubs and universities, increased investment in facilities and strengthened our coaching base. We are also grateful to Sport England, whose financial support has contributed significantly to this growth.

“With over 300 rugby clubs across the country now hosting women and girls’ teams, there are numerous opportunities for women and girls across England to participate in rugby whether that be sevens, 15s or O2 Touch. The England Women have also played a big role, driving interest in the game following their Rugby World Cup win in 2014 and exposing the sport to a wide audience through the sevens teams’ participation in Rio and the strong performance of the 15s last season.”

The campaign will run across social media channels from today, helping to promote key activities, starting with the Old Mutual Wealth Series, when the Red Roses take on the world’s top teams in France, New Zealand and Canada.

RFU Director of Professional Rugby Nigel Melville also presented England Rugby’s plans for improving the player pathway for women and girls over the next four years, which includes developing the domestic programme and competition structure in this country.

Since England Women lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2014, 20 professional full-time sevens contracts were introduced ahead of the Rio Olympics and the RFU launched a strategy to get an additional 10,000 women and girls playing regular contact rugby.

This year, England Rugby announced 48 professional contracts for 15s and sevens players, the first ever sponsored women’s series will take place in November with the Old Mutual Wealth Series, and the Red Roses will wear the first women’s custom Canterbury kit for the 2016/17 season.