Applications are still open for Royal London’s annual Championing Women and Girls’ Rugby Award, in partnership with The British & Irish Lions.
As Founding Partner of the first-ever Lions Women's Team, Royal London are proud to support grassroots rugby for women and girls across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Click here to enter
Now in its third year, the Award is granted to four clubs per year, one from each Home Union, with each successful club receiving a trophy plus a £10,000 grant to invest in their women and girls' programmes.
The four successful clubs in 2026 will be rewarded for helping to grow and develop rugby for women and girls in their local communities by working across areas such as:
Community outreach and access to playing opportunities
Promoting equality across club activities
Celebrating women’s successes and achievements
Supporting the progression of players, coaches, staff, and leadership at all levels
This year’s recipients will join 2025 winners Lancaster Lionesses (England), Buccaneers RFC (Ireland), Greenock Wanderers RFC (Scotland) and Ynysddu BG RFC (Wales), as well as 2024 winners Guisborough RUFC (England), Cooke RFC (Ireland), East Kilbride RFC (Scotland), and Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon (Wales), as recipients of the Award.
In total, £80,000 has been donated across these eight clubs so far, and this year’s grant will take Royal London’s investment in grassroots rugby across the four Home Unions to £120,000.
Shaunagh Brown, former England rugby player and Royal London ambassador, said:
“The opportunity for women and girls to play rugby in their local communities is so important to grow the women’s game to the next level. There is always more to do, but this award from Royal London will have a huge impact for the winning clubs and their communities.
“I’ve been part of the judging for the awards every year and it’s so uplifting to hear about the ways clubs and their members are pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers to bring more women and girls into the sport. I’m looking forward to reviewing the applications this year, showcasing the inspiring grassroots rugby stories from around the UK and Ireland.”
To apply for the 2026 Championing Women and Girls’ Rugby Award, click here.
Applications close at 12pm on Monday 20th July.
