Exeter City Community Trust is helping women try rugby for the first time ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025—with a fun, inclusive twist
Exeter City Community Trust is trading its usual football boots for rugby balls as it steps into a new arena to boost women’s participation in sport ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
The charity, which is the community arm of Exeter City Football Club, has joined forces with Exeter Chiefs and Exeter City Council to deliver the Strive ‘25 Rugby Challenge – a national campaign led by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to introduce 25,000 women and girls to the game in World Cup host cities. Exeter is one of only eight cities across the UK selected to host matches for the tournament.
Aimed at women aged 16 and over who may never have considered playing rugby, the challenge uses T1 Rugby – a non-contact, social version of the sport – to encourage participation. Sessions are being rolled out across Exeter in local parks, leisure centres, and workplaces, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, confidence, and friendship.
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Laura Evans, project lead at Exeter City Community Trust, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Strive ‘25 Rugby Challenge to Exeter. While our roots are in football, our mission is about improving lives through physical activity – and this project gives us a powerful way to engage more women in a welcoming, accessible version of rugby.”
As part of the launch, the team delivered a taster session to members of WI in the City, Exeter’s central Women’s Institute group.
The summer programme includes events in neighbourhoods such as Wonford, Beacon Heath, Exwick and the city centre. Collaborations with local rugby clubs, Exeter College, the University of Exeter, and Age UK will support a wide array of sessions, from walking rugby and workplace teams to festival-style pop-ups and community taster days.
In addition to creating new playing opportunities, the project aims to leave a lasting legacy for women’s rugby in the region by developing coaching pathways, strengthening club links and encouraging sustained involvement in the sport….
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More details and registration can be found at: www.exetercct.org/strive25
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