British & Irish Lions | Championing Women and Girls’ Rugby Award

Royal London launch Women and Girls’ Rugby Award

Founding Partner of the Lions Women’s Team, Royal London, have created the Championing Women and Girls’ Rugby Award which celebrates outstanding initiatives by grassroots clubs to support women’s rugby in their local community.

Each year, one club from each Home Union will be rewarded with a special trophy, plus a £10,000 grant to further invest in their women and girls’ programmes.

The successful clubs will have demonstrated they’re committed to growing women’s participation and representation within all aspects of the club. This includes community outreach, access to playing, equality across the club, celebration of women’s success, progression of players and coaches and staff and leadership at all levels.

How to apply?

2024 applications are open from 18 June 2024 and you can apply by completing the form below.

The entries will be taken through a two-stage judging process with a panel consisting of Royal London, Lions, and independent representatives, plus former England international Shaunagh Brown. Successful clubs will be announced later in the summer.

Read the grant Terms and Conditions.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone

Club Name *

Where is your club based? *

Address *

Address Line 1

City

State / Province / Region

Position held within your club *

Number of men's teams *

Number of women's and girls teams *

How many women and girls do you have playing at each level? *

What percentage does this represent of your total club members? *

Do you have any female referees and/or coaches? *

If so, what percentage does this represent of total referees and coaches in your club?

Outreach: How do you actively encourage women and girls in your community, from all backgrounds, to try rugby? (200 words) *

Access: How do you facilitate access to playing rugby for women and girls? (200 words) *

Equality: Do women and girls’ teams receive equal access to pitches, coaches and equipment within your club? (200 words) *

Celebration: How do you celebrate and promote your women and girls’ teams? (200 words) *

Progression: Are there opportunities for progression across all age groups? If not currently, please advise on how you see the growth of the club in future, to allow for progression at all levels. (200 words) *

Staff and leadership: Do you have any women currently in the following roles - coaches, referees, volunteers, club committee? How do you encourage and develop women’s involvement at all levels? If no, how do you propose to support bringing women into these club roles within your community going forward? (200 words) *

Please share any extra comments and insight into the work you’re currently doing. (200 words) *

How do you propose to spend the £10,000? Please tell us about a scoped-out area of need to enhance the women and girls’ rugby offering at your club, and the impact it would have? (500 words) *

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