There’s a shift happening in youth sports, and it’s long overdue. More parents are looking beyond traditional “girls’ sports” and discovering what rugby can offer their daughters – and the timing couldn’t be better.
The recent Women’s Rugby World Cup showcased something powerful: world-class female athletes demonstrating strength, strategy, leadership, and teamwork on the biggest stage. For young girls watching, many for the first time, it was a revelation. These weren’t just athletes – they were role models showing what’s possible.
Breaking Down What Girls “Should” Do
For too long, we’ve channeled girls toward certain activities and boys toward others. But watch a group of 3-year-old girls at Rugbytots, and you’ll see the same joy, fearlessness, and competitive spirit as the boys. They love running, scoring tries, and getting muddy.
The difference? We haven’t told them yet that this isn’t “their” sport.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup reminded us that rugby is absolutely a sport for girls and women. Watching players execute perfect tackles, lead their teams under pressure, and display incredible athleticism sends a clear message to young girls: this space is yours too.
The Confidence That Comes
There’s something uniquely powerful about contact sports for girls. In a world that often teaches them to be small, quiet, and careful, rugby teaches the opposite – use your voice, take up space, be physical, be strong.
At RugbyStars, we see it all the time. A shy 5-year-old girl starts the term barely making eye contact. By the end, she’s calling out to her team, and celebrating her tries with pure, uninhibited joy. That transformation is real, and it extends far beyond the rugby pitch.
Girls in rugby learn that their bodies are powerful tools. They learn that strength is something to be proud of, that getting knocked down and getting back up is normal, and that they can be competitive without being mean.
Leadership Looks Different Here
Watch any women’s rugby match, and you’ll see leadership in action. Players communicating constantly, supporting each other, making split-second decisions, holding each other accountable.
These are skills that start developing in those early years. In our RugbyStars sessions, girls learn to encourage teammates who are struggling, to problem-solve together. A 6-year-old girl who learns to communicate to her teammates during a game is building the same skills those World Cup captains use!
Physicality Without the Pressure
Rugby, especially at the Rugbytots and RugbyStars ages, is about fundamental movement skills. Running, jumping, changing direction, spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination. Girls are building physical literacy in an environment that celebrates what their bodies can do, not how they look doing it.
There’s no judging panel, no mirror, no emphasis on aesthetics. Just mud, grass stains, effort, and improvement!
Starting Young Matters
The beauty of our Rugbytots and RugbyStars programme is that girls start before societal messages about what’s “appropriate” for them have fully taken hold. A 3-year-old girl doesn’t question whether she should be playing rugby – she just knows it’s fun.
By the time they reach RugbyStars at 5-7 years old, rugby is just what they do. It’s normal. They’ve built skills, confidence, and friendships. The sport becomes part of their identity in the best possible way.
And crucially, they’re surrounded by other girls doing the same thing. When you’re the only girl in a sport, it’s isolating. When you’re part of a community of girls who all love rugby, it’s empowering. Adding to that, our Rugbytots boys are growing up playing with girls and them not questioning it sends a powerful message.
The Parent Perspective
Many parents initially hesitate about rugby for their daughters. Rugby? Won’t she get hurt? Isn’t it too rough?
But watch their faces after a few sessions. They see their daughter glowing with pride after scoring tries. They hear her talking excitedly about what she learned. They notice her standing a little taller, speaking a little louder.
Girls learn body awareness, how to fall safely, how to use their strength. These are life skills.
Looking Forward
The Women’s Rugby World Cup planted seeds in the minds of young girls everywhere. Some watched and thought, “I could do that.” Others saw themselves in the players on screen for the first time.
Our job now is to nurture those seeds. To create welcoming spaces where girls can try rugby without fear. To build programmes where they can develop skills, confidence, and community.
At Rugbytots and RugbyStars, we’re seeing more girls than ever. And every single one of them is teaching us something – about potential and about breaking down barriers.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup showed us the destination. Now it’s our turn to help the next generation start the journey!
Is your daughter interested in trying rugby? Our Rugbytots (ages 2-5) and RugbyStars (ages 5-7) programmes welcome girls (and boys) in a fun, supportive, skill-building environment. Come see what rugby can do for your little athlete!
Try Rugbytots FREE and join the fun! Book in for a trial here.
This entry was posted on 4th November 2025.