Highlights:
- 70 delegates from 34 countries to attend G2G Connect Forum in Sunderland before WRWC 2025.
- Forum led by World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby to focus on increasing women in community rugby coaching.
Key Facts:
- Asia has strong representation, including delegates from Indonesia, Hong Kong China, Singapore, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
- Over 1,000 women have participated in 32 forums worldwide.
Background
The Grassroots to Global (G2G) Connect Forum 2025 will take place in Sunderland this week, uniting 70 delegates from 34 nations in the lead-up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) 2025. Organized by ChildFund Rugby in partnership with World Rugby, the forum seeks to empower young female leaders in grassroots rugby and advance strategies to expand women’s roles in community coaching.
The highlight of the forum will be a community roundtable on Thursday, 21 August, where young women from 29 countries will present their insights and recommendations. The session will conclude with a global call to action aimed at boosting the number of women in rugby coaching and ensuring long-term leadership opportunities for women and girls in sport.
People who run grassroots are what keep our game alive. G2G Connect 2025 is not just about giving their voices as a global movement in the quest to obtain equity in rugby, said Meg Knight, Co-Director of ChildFund Rugby.
The project is an extension of the first G2G series in 2021, held in 26 unions, and involving close to 500 female leaders. Since then, over 1,000 women have participated in 32 forums worldwide. Findings from the program revealed that female coaches are the strongest motivators for girls to take up rugby, though women still represent only 8% of coaches globally.
Asia will have a strong presence this year, with participants from Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Among them is youth coach Michaila Alsagon, recognized for her leadership in women’s club and community rugby.
Adding to the momentum, ultramarathon runner Lexi Chambers will arrive in Sunderland on Wednesday, 20 August, completing her 10th marathon in 10 days as part of the Race to Rugby World Cup 2025. Her achievement, which sets a new world record, will raise funds for ChildFund Rugby. A public ceremony at Seaburn Beach will mark her arrival, followed by a T1 Rugby Beach Festival.
