Lottery backing for local rugby
2022 has certainly been the year of women's sport in England. The Lionesses won the Euros, the women of Team England sparkled at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and now the Red Roses are red-hot favourites to win the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
However, this success at elite level for women's sport is built on the strong foundations of grassroots projects up and down the country which help develop and nurture talent across all age grades.
The National Lottery is highlighting how its players have contributed more than £94.6 million to support over 3,200 grassroots rugby union projects in the UK since 1994, including vital support to hundreds of projects that develop women and girl's rugby - from grassroots to elite. This includes funding to the Rugby Football Union in England to support the growth of women's rugby.
Projects like Ivybridge Rugby Football Club in Devon are among the thousands of schemes throughout the UK working their magic at grassroots level to develop women's and girls' rugby, thanks to the support of National Lottery funding.
The women's section has gone from strength to strength since relocating to Ivybridge from Plymouth Albion in 2019, and with current Red Rose and former Ivybridge star Lagi Tuima blazing a trail, hopes are high that the club's next generation of stars can achieve great things.
With the club having now established a girl's section which feeds into its women's team, Tuima may not be the last to don pull on wear the national colours.
The club received nearly five thousand pounds of National Lottery funding and ladies captain Rachel Miller is thrilled with what they have achieved.
"We're really fortunate at Ivybridge with regards to the facilities that we've got, which not only attracts better players but also coaches," she said.
"Obviously, before we were at Ivybridge, the girls' section was good, but it was new, and they almost didn't have anywhere to go once they turned 18.
"Or if they did, then they were certainly going to be leaving Ivybridge, which was a real shame that they were manufacturing these brilliant players who have gone through their girls' section, but were then going to have to move on to a different club purely because there was no option.
"We've also done some joint sessions, where we've tried to attract players in the community, and we have a partnership with Exeter Chiefs Women too.”
Ann Miller, who is also a club development officer for the RFU, believes further exposure for the women's game and a successful World Cup for the Home Nations will aid Ivybridge in years to come.
"Women's rugby is just on an upward trajectory, which is unbelievable to see," she said. I think obviously our England team is doing incredibly," she said.
"They're role models to all the younger girls and we're fortunate that we've had quite a lot of female players come from this area who've gone on to play high level rugby.
"So, I think having role models, like Lagi Tuima, from this area who've gone on to reach that high level just proves that it can be done. And obviously Exeter Chiefs ladies is now in the area as well.
"So, having a team of that level of women who are doing it week in week out on the TV – now they're just publicised so much more, just gives the younger generation role models to aspire to."
Former England player and Rugby World Cup winner, Maggie Alphonsi MBE, met with National Lottery-supported Haringey Rhinos RFC in London to see for herself how National Lottery funding is having a positive impact on female participation at the club. Maggie herself has reaped the rewards of National Lottery funding throughout her career and knows only too well the positive impact this funding can have.
Highlighting the importance of funding to develop grassroots rugby union for women and girls, Alphonsi, 38, said: "It's important to reflect on how National Lottery funding over the years has played a pivotal role in developing and nurturing talent for the future, and has helped progress the sport amongst thousands of women and girls throughout the UK – from grassroots to elite.
"This has no doubt helped the growth of the game amongst women and girls and has contributed substantially to the increased levels of professionalism we see today.
"I'm eternally grateful for the opportunities the game of rugby has given me in life. Whether it's the sense of community each of the teams and clubs I have played for have instilled in me, or the life skills, team ethic, responsibility, and leadership it has shown me, on and off the pitch – I owe a lot to the sport.
"That's why I'm delighted to highlight and support the impact the National Lottery funding has had on rugby clubs and projects throughout the UK."
National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
