Newcastle Rugby Foundation (NRF) is proud to announce its selection as the official Women’s Rugby World Cup – Community Engagement Programme Partner by Sunderland City Council. 

Sunderland is set to host the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at the Stadium of Light on Friday August 22 with England’s Red Roses taking on the USA.

The prestigious partnership between Sunderland City Council and NRF recognises the foundation’s two decades of expertise in delivering high-impact, inclusive rugby initiatives across the North East. It marks an exciting new chapter in community engagement leading up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with the North East Combined Authority (NECA) being the funding partner. 

Building on a legacy of successful projects around major sporting events – including the Rugby Union World Cup 2015,  2019 European Rugby Finals, all Magic Weekends in Newcastle, Rugby League World Cup, and landmark Newcastle Falcons games – NRF will spearhead a dynamic programme designed to inspire, empower, and unite communities throughout the region. Sunderland too has an excellent track record of hosting major sporting events, from the Tour of Britain and the Tour Series and the World Triathlon Championship Series. 

The Community Engagement Programme will feature two cornerstone projects:   

• School/Club Delivery Project: Addressing the gap in rugby expertise within schools, NRF will deliver in all NECA areas to primary and secondary schools to almost 1000 youngsters. Participating schools will join NRF’s extensive network, gaining access to future rugby opportunities tailored to their needs. 

• Events Programme: A vibrant calendar of community events will bring rugby to life across the North East. Highlights include a mini Women’s Rugby World Cup 50 days before the Sunderland opener, a beach touch rugby series, a corporate touch rugby series, a “50 days to go” business engagement event, and mass participation activities at iconic locations from Sunderland beaches to Kingston Park Stadium. The events will showcase the region’s unique landscapes and culture, with opportunities for fans to engage across the region, including a dedicated Fanzone presence to further grow interest. 

To keep up to date with the latest events in the region visit: WRWC Countdown – Newcastle Rugby Foundation 

Melanie Magee, CEO of Newcastle Rugby Foundation, commented: “We are honoured to be chosen by Sunderland City Council as the Community Engagement Programme Partner for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Our approach has always been rooted in understanding and responding to the needs of our participants, and this partnership will allow us to reach even more communities with the transformative power of rugby. With the support of our valued partners—RFU, Northumberland and Durham Rugby Unions, local councils, and many more—we are committed to delivering an inclusive, memorable, and impactful programme that leaves a lasting legacy for women’s sport and the North East.”   

Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Newcastle Rugby Foundation as our Community Engagement Programme Partner. It’s incredibly exciting to be hosting the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in Sunderland at a time when there is such a huge surge of interest in women’s rugby and women’s sport in general. Our partnership with the Newcastle Rugby Foundation will help bring the tournament to life in with exciting opportunities for communities across the North East to get involved in rugby, as well as creating a lasting legacy for the sport and the women’s game in our region. It complements our own Active Sunderland Community Rugby Impact programme which is working in schools and communities across Sunderland.”