Support for women’s rugby has never been greater, and it’s no surprise that it’s the fastest growing female sport in the world. Since Katy McLean led the team out in Paris in 2014, defeating Canada 21-9 to bring home the silverware for The Red Roses, we’ve all been hooked and converted. 

The Power of Dreams

Since 2001 Honda has embraced ‘the Power of Dreams’ philosophy, and now it’s the chance of girls’ and women’s rugby union teams across the UK to bring their dreams to reality.

In April the Telegraph Media Group Honda Rugby Legacy Fund was relaunched to give support to 15 more girls’ and women’s clubs in the UK and help them to achieve their goals and kickstart their dreams.

Having received over 400 entries, it was the job of the panel judges – including Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi; Telegraph women’s rugby correspondent Fiona Tomas; Rebecca Adamson, head of automobile at Honda UK; and women’s rugby commentator Nick Heath – to whittle it down to a final 15. As well as being presented with funds ranging from £3,000 to £1,000 the winners were also invited to a special celebration day at Harlow Rugby Club in Essex.

As part of the winners’ day, everyone was invited to take part in a special photo shoot before joining Maggie Alphonsi for a fun and light-hearted training session.

“Being part of today has given us such a great chance to see other people that are in the same sort of situation as us, and have those discussions with other clubs to see what they’re doing and see what’s working for them,” says Beth Hampton from St Ives Rugby Club in Cornwall. Their girls’ section only started in September 2024 and it is their geographical location that adds to the challenge. As one of 10 clubs to receive a £1,000 award, theirs will help support volunteers to go into local schools and encourage new girls to join the club.

There was also a Q&A panel – hosted by esteemed rugby commentator Heath – featuring Alphonsi and former Wales international Philippa Tuttiett. The topics covered ranged from how the women’s elite game has changed through to the challenges of keeping young girls in the game at age grade levels. The passionate views shared would have given rugby’s top administrators plenty to think about.

“It’s been a real honour to meet the winners of the 2025 Telegraph Honda Rugby Legacy Fund, all of whom are doing such great work to support women’s and girls’ rugby across the UK. This is going to be another huge year for our sport and these volunteers are real champions of the game.

From connecting communities and improving facilities through to improving education around women’ s health and nutrition, it’s wonderful to learn more about how each club will use the funds they have won. Congratulations to them all and I wish them well in the coming months and years to come.”

For further information about The Telegraph Media Group Honda Rugby Legacy Fund please visit Meet the Rugby Legacy Fund winners.

Previous Legacy Fund winners

One of beneficiaries of the 2022 fund was Eton Manor RFC in Wanstead which received £2,000. The money helped them expand the girls’ section at the club, by sending professional female coaches into the local high school and holding U12 girls rugby festivals, plugging the gap where Year 7 girls start to drop out of sport, an area identified by the club as being key.