Levelling the Field: Why Women’s Rugby Deserves Real Investment
As the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup unfolds on home soil, there's an uncomfortable truth we need to address: whilst the world watches these incredible athletes give everything on the pitch, the financial reality behind the scenes tells a very different story.
The Numbers Don't Add Up
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Premiership Women's Rugby salary cap sits at £220,000 per team for the entire season. To put this in perspective, that's less than what many male players earn individually in a year. This figure has to cover squads of 45-50 players, meaning most athletes are earning comparatively low pay for their professional dedication.
We're not here to create division or point fingers, but rather to highlight a system that desperately needs evolution. These aren't hobby players having a weekend kickabout – these are elite athletes who've dedicated their lives to their sport, yet most still need second jobs to pay the bills.
When Passion Meets Crowdfunding
The story that's captured hearts worldwide this tournament is Canada's incredible journey. Ranked second in the world, yet facing a £725,000 funding shortfall, Rugby Canada launched their "Mission: Win Rugby World Cup 2025" crowdfunding campaign in March. The goal? Raise $1 million Canadian dollars to cover the cost of training and competition to give their team the resources they deserved.
And they did it. The rugby community, fans, and supporters rallied together, proving that when we invest in women's sport, magic happens. Canada's subsequent stunning victory over reigning champions New Zealand wasn't just a triumph on the pitch – it was validation that proper investment yields extraordinary results.
The Ripple Effect of Investment
Here's what happens when we properly fund women's rugby:
- Professional pathways open up: More women can consider rugby as a viable career, not just a passionate hobby
- Quality improves: Athletes can focus on training rather than juggling multiple jobs
- Inspiration multiplies: Young girls see realistic role models and career possibilities
- The sport grows: Better players create more exciting matches, attracting larger audiences and sponsors
What Sustainable Change Looks Like
The current £220,000 salary cap isn't sustainable for anyone – not the players, not the clubs, and not the sport's future. We need a system that:
- Provides living wages for professional athletes
- Creates clear career progression pathways
- Attracts and retains top talent
- Builds sustainable club finances
- Grows the sport's commercial appeal
The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about rugby – it's about recognising that women's sport deserves the same professional infrastructure, financial backing, and respect as men's. When we invest properly in female athletes, we don't just change individual lives; we transform entire sports.
Canada's crowdfunded success story shows us what's possible when a community believes in its athletes. Their journey from funding gap to World Cup final isn't just inspiring – it's a blueprint for what happens when we back women's sport properly.
The Call to Action
As we watch these incredible athletes compete at the highest level, let's remember that behind every tackle, every try, and every triumph, there's a person who's chosen to pursue excellence despite financial uncertainty.
The conversation around women's rugby funding isn't about taking away from men's sport – it's about creating a world where talent and dedication are rewarded equally, regardless of gender. Where young girls can dream of professional rugby careers without worrying about how they'll pay rent.
The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has shown us the incredible standard of women's rugby. Now it's time for the financial investment to match that standard.
At Freyja Fit, we believe in empowering women to pursue their athletic dreams at every level. From grassroots to elite competition, every woman deserves access to quality equipment and the support to reach her potential.