Together with our staff, partners and trustees, Newcastle Rugby Foundation are still on a high after the Women’s Rugby World Cup arrived in Sunderland last week. On Friday August 22, England beat the USA at the Stadium of Light in a dominant display which ignited passions across the North East for the growth of the game and welcomed a new dawn of female role models for our future stars. A record-breaking 42,723 fans descended on the Stadium to watch England’s Red Roses beat Team USA 69 – 7. 

As atmosphere built in the city and their phenomenal Fanzone at Keel Square, we welcomed thousands of visitors to our interactive area proudly powered by Sage Foundation which was a roaring success, and we thank Sunderland City Council for arranging such a generational event.  

Thousands of young rugby fans got the chance to test their skills and experience rugby in a fun, interactive way using data and technology. From jump height to pass speed, running speed to reaction time, the challenges gave everyone a taste of what it’s like to measure up against the best, and our staff kept the energy high throughout the day.  

One of the standout moments of the day came when a 12-year-old recorded a pass speed of 36mph – proof of the incredible talent and enthusiasm already growing in the North East. 

Data Meets Rugby  

This year’s fanzone went beyond just fun and games. With the support of the Sage Foundation, the event was proudly powered by cutting-edge data insights. Every challenge captured live statistics, helping young people see their performance in real time and showing how technology can open new doors in sport. It was inspiring to watch young fans light up as they connected rugby with the power of data. 

A City Embracing the Rugby Spirit  

The buzz around Sunderland was electric, with families, schools, and community groups all coming together to celebrate the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The energy in the fanzone proved just how much appetite there is for rugby in the region, and we loved welcoming the world of rugby to our city. 

A huge thank you to the Sage Foundation for making this possible and for helping us blend rugby, technology, and community engagement in such a memorable way. 

As the Red Roses and USA took to the pitch at the Stadium of Light, we were proud to know the fanzone had played its part in building the excitement and leaving a lasting impression on the next generation of rugby fans.