LONDON - Set against the backdrop of a record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the Women’s Rugby Global Summit took place on 25-26 September at London's Science Museum.
Attended by 400 senior leaders and decision-makers from across the global rugby and sporting industries, the programme presented a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions and expert case studies, exploring how the game as a whole can unlock commercial potential, increase participation, enhance visibility, and expand the game's future support base.
Day one featured sessions on powering long-term rugby growth and driving the rise, reach and relevance of women’s sport in general; on growing the grassroots game and commercial partnerships; and on the successes and learnings of this Women's Rugby World Cup tournament.
The day reached a climax with the annual World Rugby Referee Award in partnership with Emirates, presented to Hollie Davidson two days before she takes charge of the RWC final between Canada and England.
The second day of the summit started with a session on the importance of player health and wellbeing, which identified three key pillars to player welfare - knowledge, support and action. The session highlighted the importance of increasing the understanding of how to support women, especially in areas such as breast health and period health, to open the door for women to openly discuss topics often categorised as taboo.
In addition, there were sessions on delivering a world-class rugby product and global calendar; achieving far-reaching legacy impact through strong strategic partnerships; using insight and data to unlock commercial potential; and growing interest through personalities and storytelling, the latter featuring one of the characters of Women's RWC 2025, Springbok Women's number eight Aseza Hele (pictured).
"This is a huge honour for me, and for those back at home, representing them in a huge panel," Hele said.
"I was nervous, but I've been myself and I love that I inspired lots of people. Today I felt loved and important and that is golden."
Producer-presenter Elma Smit, one of the summit's moderators, called on everyone with an interest in women's rugby to help to grow the game.
She said: "Whether you are involved in the structures behind the scenes, a player or a fan at home, go find, follow and engage with all of the players you have seen show up and carry this flame at this World Cup in ways that are deeply participatory.
"Every video you watch, every piece you read, every second you spend looking at an image online counts towards that pyramid of pressure that we need to build."
Smit's sentiments were echoed by World Rugby's Sally Horrox, who urged delegates to continue their good work beyond Saturday's trophy lift.
"Colleagues, partners, unions, brands, media companies, you feel everyone is going to take this back home and take the inspiration and put it into practice in their own country," Horrox, Chief of Women’s Rugby, said.
"This energy never stops - it’s not just a slogan, it's a whole way of thinking, it’s a whole way of behaving. It's what's going to drive the change."
Among the facts and figures revealed at the summit were the following about fans of women's rugby:
- 49% have become fans in the last two years
- 31% say they were motivated to follow the sport because of major international tournaments and high-profile events
- 73% agree that brands have an authentic role to play in boosting visibility of women's rugby.
Like the first day, the packed agenda finished on a dizzying high with another World Rugby Awards presentation, this time All Blacks great and three-time World Rugby Player of the Year winner, Dan Carter, recognised with the Special Merit Award.
Describing the award as "a huge privilege", Carter added: "I guess it's a combination of the hard work and dedication that I put in as a professional rugby player, but also since my transition out of the game, my willingness to want to give back to people through philanthropic work."
The New Zealand legend expressed his delight at the success of the tournament in England, saying: “To see the interaction these women have with the fans, and how the fans have shown their appreciation by coming out in huge numbers all through the World Cup - what a finale it's going to be on Saturday.
"The sport is on a real high and there's a lot that the men's game can learn from the women’s game."
