Women's Rugby Accessibility Study Reveals Progress and Barriers Ahead of 2027 Lions Tour
A comprehensive new study commissioned by Royal London has revealed that rugby has become the third most accessible sport for women in the United Kingdom, trailing only football and netball. The research, which explores public sentiment around women's sport, comes at a crucial moment as women's rugby builds momentum following the Red Roses' World Cup victory and looks ahead to the inaugural Women's Lions Tour in 2027.
Accessibility Rankings and Participation Gaps
The survey found that 32% of women consider rugby accessible in their local area, placing it just behind netball at 34% but ahead of other team sports like hockey and cricket. This represents significant progress for the sport, yet a notable gap remains between accessibility and actual participation rates. Despite its third-place ranking in accessibility, rugby currently sits fourth in terms of the proportion of women actively playing the sport.
"The opportunity to take part in women's rugby at high school has had a huge impact on mine and my family's life," said Rhona Lloyd, Lions Women's rugby ambassador for Royal London and Scotland rugby international. "After the success of the Women's Rugby World Cup, I'd love to see more funding allocated to not just women's rugby but women's sport across the board."
School Accessibility Shows Dramatic Improvement
The research reveals particularly encouraging trends in school-based accessibility over the past two decades. Where only 11% of women aged 35 to 44 were able to play rugby during their school years, that figure has nearly doubled to 20% for those aged 16 to 24. This growth demonstrates the impact of increased investment and changing attitudes toward women's rugby in educational settings.
However, rugby still trails several other sports in school accessibility, with football, netball, and badminton continuing to lead the way. The study suggests that while progress has been made, there remains substantial room for improvement in making rugby available to young women across all educational institutions.
Barriers to Participation and Changing Attitudes
For women interested in participating in sports, the research identifies two primary barriers. A lack of time emerged as the chief obstacle, cited by 37% of respondents, while cost followed closely at 32%. These practical challenges continue to limit participation despite growing interest in the sport.
Notably, the study reveals a significant generational shift in attitudes toward team sports. Women aged 16 to 44 highlighted multiple benefits of participation, including:
- Improved social skills and confidence
- Development of friendship networks
- Enhanced emotional resilience
In contrast, women aged 45 and older predominantly stated that team sports had no impact on their lives, with 60% of those over 55 sharing this perspective. This generational divide suggests changing cultural attitudes that may benefit women's rugby in the coming years.
Royal London's Investment and Future Initiatives
Royal London, as the founding partner of the first British and Irish Lions Women's Rugby Team, is leveraging this research to guide substantial investments in women's rugby. The mutual pensions, protection, and investment provider has committed £3 million through its Levelling the Playing Field Grant to support coach and player pathways across the home Unions.
"Despite the strides we're making at the elite level, our research shows that there is still work to do to get more women and girls into the game," said Susie Logan, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Royal London. "We are committed to nurturing sporting talent that will shape the future of women's rugby."
The company's initiatives include the Championing Women's and Girls Rugby Awards and the Making Herstory campaign, which celebrates the formation of the inaugural Women's Lions team that will face New Zealand's Black Ferns in 2027. This historic development marks the first women's team in the Lions' 130-year history.
Building on World Cup Success
The research comes at a pivotal moment for women's rugby, following the Red Roses' World Cup victory on home soil at a sold-out Allianz Stadium. That success has created unprecedented momentum for the sport as it approaches the landmark 2027 Women's Lions Tour to New Zealand.
Royal London's study underscores both the progress made in women's rugby accessibility and the work still required to translate that accessibility into increased participation. With strategic investments and continued focus on grassroots development, stakeholders aim to capitalize on the current momentum and create lasting change in women's rugby across the UK and Ireland.
