World Rugby, the global governing body for the sport of rugby union, has announced details of Accelerate, a new framework for the development of women’s rugby. Accelerate will see the international federation form bespoke partnerships with national unions, governments and brands to raise standards on and off the field. The program will initially focus on 20 unions capable of qualifying for the new WXV competition and expanded Rugby World Cup 2025 in England. Specifically, World Rugby and its partners will use the Accelerate framework to strengthen unions, with a clear plan to grow the women’s and girls’ game; increase participation through new pathways and talent pools; improve national team standards; and increase visibility, engagement and commercial revenues while helping drive sustainability. Accelerate follows in the footsteps of a successful pilot project in Australia, which has led to increased government and union investment, part-time contracts for 35 international and elite domestic players, new pregnancy and parenting policies, further Super W elite competition and community game development, the governing body has explained.

Topics