We form powerful partnerships in sport to create opportunities and accelerate change at local community to high-performance level. Our aim is to level the playing field for current participants and for the next generation, helping to protect today and invest in tomorrow.
British & Irish Lions Women’s Founding Partner
Get ready for the ground breaking British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027. As Founding Partner, we couldn’t be prouder to be on this journey to reshape the future of women’s rugby. If you thought you knew what a Lion looked like, think again!
£3 million Levelling the Playing Field Grant
As part of our Lions Women’s partnership, we’re investing £1 million per year in player development pathways in each of The British & Irish Lions four constituent unions. The purpose of this grant is to help develop more players and coaches capable of being selected, and a more balanced team, for the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour.
Championing Women and Girls’ Rugby Award
We're also investing in women and girls’ grassroots rugby across the UK and Ireland in the run up to the 2027 Tour. We're providing an award and funding to four clubs per year to reward the good work being done and help fund development initiatives, to support women and girls’ rugby within local communities.
Investing in tomorrow through the Lions Women’s Feasibility Study
In 2021, we collaborated with the Lions to fund a study to investigate if a British & Irish Lions Women’s team could be formed. Excitingly, the study concluded with positive findings which led to the creation of the historic inaugural Lions Women’s Tour.