Around 25,000 people were registered as players at one of the 105 rugby union clubs in the North West last year, nearly a 5% increase on the previous season.
These numbers include over 16,000 age grade players. We saw more than a 10% increase in the number of girls playing rugby in clubs in the region, and we now have over 1,750 girls playing club rugby.
Approximately 25,000 young people – boys and girls – were introduced to rugby union through activities in schools and over 4,000 through activities with Guides and Scouts across the North West in the last year too.
The RFU released the figures ahead of the England men’s team taking on Fiji at the Hill Dickinson stadium on Saturday 11 July in the first-ever Nations Championship.
In recent years lots of work has been taking place to introduce more young people to rugby in schools and other settings across the North West too, through RFU initiatives, recruitment drives in clubs and community work undertaken by the Sale Sharks Foundation. We’re all firmly committed to introducing more people to the sport, helping to break down barriers and ensuring that there is a place in rugby for everyone.
Alison Watt is an RFU School Rugby Manager covering schools in Sefton, having taken on the role in October 2024. She’s been using T1 rugby, the first non-contact form of rugby that reflects all the characteristics of rugby union, including lineouts, scrums, kicking and a breakdown, to introduce young people to the sport in both primary and secondary schools in the borough.
Alison said: “Despite all my years as a PE teacher, when I first took on this role, I was a bit apprehensive about coaching rugby and whether young people in the area – especially girls – would embrace rugby. I needn’t have worried as the enthusiasm and take up has been fantastic!”
Alison has worked hard to introduce rugby in schools in a fun and accessible way, ensuring events have had a great vibe, whether they take place at schools, rugby clubs in the area such as Southport RUFC and Firwood Waterloo, or on the beach. For example, she has held girls’ glow events, with UV lights, glow in the dark bibs and UV coated rugby balls. Other highlights included Sale Sharks and Red Roses star, Holly Aitchison, attending a girls World Cup themed rugby festival involving a number of local schools not long after she was part of the team that lifted the World Cup trophy and a beach T1 event for year 5 and 6 pupils from schools in Sefton and the Wirral.
“It’s been about finding fun and easy ways to introduce young people to rugby. Getting a rugby ball in their hands, supporting them to learn core rugby skills, and seeing them grow in confidence, all while having a great time. We know many young people in the area tend to be less familiar with rugby than other sports, but we want them to have the opportunity to play it. You never know, they could be the next Holly Aitchison.”
The RFU’s work to grow rugby among young people and other groups is not carried out in isolation. The Sale Sharks Foundation runs a range of initiatives across the North West to level the field, especially for women and girls, disabled people, those living in poverty and young people at risk.
Jack Leech, Sale Sharks Foundation, said: “Rugby union has a unique ability to bring people together, and we see that every day through the work of Sale Sharks Foundation. Using the game as a vehicle for opportunity, we are creating spaces where people from all backgrounds feel welcome, valued and part of something bigger. We want Sale Sharks to be more than just a club, we aim to be the metaphorical clubhouse for all, where our communities can connect, grow and thrive through rugby. We are proud of the role we play in collaboration with key partners like the RFU, Ali and our grassroots Rugby Clubs.’’
Rugby clubs in the area are also working hard to attract new people through their doors. Firwood Waterloo is doing lots of work to rebuild its women’s section and to grow the numbers of girls playing at the club. The club has also established a mixed gender touch rugby section for anyone who would prefer not to, or cannot, play contact rugby. This is attracting new players through their doors, some of whom have then gone on to volunteer within the club.
Fiona Henderson, Board Director and Chair of the Women’s section at Firwood Waterloo Rugby Club, said: “We’re such a welcoming and inclusive rugby club in heart of our local community. Quite simply we want people to get out on the pitch, play rugby and have fun. Whether you’ve male or female, new to rugby or an experienced player, there is a place here for you and friendships to be made.”
Steve Grainger, RFU Executive Director for the Community Game, said: “It’s great to see the increased rugby participation across the North West this year. We care passionately about growing the community game for the future. To do that, we need to try new things, take rugby union to new places, and get rugby balls into more people’s hands. With a welcoming and vibrant set of rugby union clubs across the North West, I’d encourage everyone who has enjoyed picking up the ball for the first time elsewhere to get down to, and continue playing at, their local community club.”
Holly Aitchison, World-cup winning Red Roses player and Sale Sharks player, said: “I was incredibly fortunate growing up to have such a fantastic role model in Gill Burns. Not only was she my teacher, but she was also a former England captain who showed me there was a pathway for a girl from the North West to achieve great things in rugby.
“When I first started at Firwood Waterloo, I was encouraged to be my authentic self, express myself on the field and develop my skills both on and off the pitch. It’s amazing to see that, 20 years later, those same values remain at the heart of grassroots clubs, inspiring more girls and boys across the region to give rugby a go.
“Rugby is such a brilliant sport, whether it’s contact or non-contact. It really is a game for everyone, regardless of age or ability. It builds confidence, creates lifelong friendships and teaches valuable life skills that stay with you long in adulthood.”
