Women’s rugby: World Rugby announces ‘historic’ reforms

World Rugby has announced today that 17 new positions on its highest decision-making body will be taken by women.

Currently there are 32 positions on the World Rugby Council, all held by men, but plans have been agreed to increase the number to 49, with all the new spots allocated to women.

According to World Rugby, the reform will give the 11 unions and six regional associations, who currently have an additional vote but no additional representative, the right to send an extra representative to the council subject to that person being female.

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Following the meeting today in London, World Rugby’s 2017-25 Women’s Plan was also ratified by the council. The Women’s Plan and the governance reform proposal were “developed under the guidance of the Women’s Advisory Committee” – which was established in 2015.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont called the reforms “historic”.

“This is a major milestone in the progression and growth of World Rugby and the global game,” he said. “The reform is historic, reflective of our ambitions and long overdue.

“If we are to promote and nurture the growth of women in rugby then change must be led from the top. I would like to thank my council colleagues for their full commitment to this important reform and I look forward to welcoming their new representatives from rugby and beyond so that together we can work to further rugby worldwide.

“It is clearly a fantastic start and opens the door to even greater female representation in council and across rugby in the future.”

Growth levels in women’s rugby are at an all-time high. Latest figures reveal 2.4 million women and girls are playing the sport – that’s 26% of all players globally – and since 2013 there has been a 60% increase in female players.

About World Rugby’s 2017-25 Women’s Plan

Aims of the strategic Women’s Plan:

• Drive inspirational leadership on and off the field
• Grow sustainable participation
• Build high performance through quality competition
• Build an impactful profile, inspiring engagement
• Grow strategic, sustainable investment partnerships