Jump to main content

Menu

Women in Rugby Action Plan

Aviva National Mini Rugby Festival 2019, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 19/5/2018 Sene Naoupu with Gort RFC 400 children from 20 clubs around Ireland got the dream opportunity to play on the same pitch as their Irish rugby heroes. To find out more, follow Aviva Ireland social media channels and use #SafeToDream Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

The Irish Rugby Football Union has a vision of being a sport of equal opportunity and access across all areas of our game.

Women In Rugby Action Plan

We see the opportunity for Rugby to take a greater role in Irish society through increased participation of women in our sport. We aspire to give every female the opportunity to play and be involved in our game, where females can have a lifelong rugby experience, inspired by successful role models from within the game.

The IRFU established an Independent review group in November 2017, co-chaired by Mary Quinn and Su Carty, to evaluate and discern the strategic focus for the development of the women’s game in Ireland.

The plan outlined in the Women in Rugby Action Plan 2018-2023 aims to achieve the following over the course of the next five years.

  • To be a sport of equal opportunity and access for all
  • To optimise the quality of experience provided for female age-grade rugby players
  • To drive a performance system that demands and supports development and competitive excellence
  • To increase female participation to 20%, or more, across the game, including players, coaches, referees, volunteers and committees

Download the Women In Rugby Action Plan

Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive Officer Declan Madden, Chairman IRFU Management Committee

Headline Targets

Growth

  • 5,000 Adult Players
  • 300 Women’s & Girl’s Teams
  • 150 Secondary Schools
  • 6,500 Youth Players
  • 1,000 3rd Level Players
  • 300 Female Players
  • 80 Female Referees

Performance

  • WRWC 2021 Qualification & Top 6 Finish
  • One Women’s Six Nations (Top 3 otherwise)
  • Qualification for 2020 Olympics 7s
  • Qualification for 2020 Sevens Rugby World Cup
  • Win two Sevens World Series Tournaments
  • Consistent Top 6 Finish Sevens World Series
  • Consistent Top 2 Finish Rugby Europe U18s 7s