More than eight in ten women surveyed as part of new Rugby Football Union (RFU) research said they had experienced sexism in community rugby, prompting the governing body to introduce a standalone anti-sexism and misogyny policy that will apply across every level of the game in England.
The policy, developed in partnership with the charity Women in Sport, is supported by new educational resources for clubs, governance reforms and increased representation for the women’s game. It follows research involving more than 600 volunteers—including players, coaches, referees and club administrators—during the 2025-26 season.
While the RFU already has safeguarding policies and disciplinary procedures in place, the new initiative introduces a dedicated framework focused specifically on preventing and responding to sexism and misogyny across English rugby.
Why Is the RFU Acting?
The announcement comes at a time when women’s rugby continues to grow rapidly across England.
Participation has increased at community level, Premiership Women’s Rugby continues to expand, and the RFU’s Every Rose strategy has set a target of reaching 100,000 active female players by 2030.
According to research carried out with Women in Sport, continued growth must be matched by environments where participants, volunteers and officials feel respected and supported throughout the game.
What Did the Research Find?
The research gathered responses from more than 600 people involved in community rugby.
Among its findings were:
- 83% of female respondents said they had experienced sexism.
- Around one in four female match officials reported frequently witnessing or experiencing sexist behaviour.
- Many volunteers said they lacked confidence in challenging inappropriate behaviour.
- 79% of women and 66% of men supported increasing female representation in rugby leadership.
The figures reflect the experiences reported by those who participated in the research and were used by the RFU to shape the new programme.
What Changes Under the New Policy?
The initiative combines policy, education and governance reforms rather than relying on a single disciplinary measure.
A Dedicated Policy
The RFU has introduced a standalone Anti-Sexism and Misogyny Policy that establishes consistent procedures for reporting incidents, investigating complaints and applying sanctions where appropriate.
The policy applies throughout community rugby as well as the professional game.
Practical Guidance for Clubs
A new Women and Girls Toolkit will provide guidance for club committees, coaches, volunteers, referees and players.
The RFU also plans to deliver webinars and educational sessions before the 2026-27 season to help clubs implement the new guidance.
Governance Changes
The RFU Council will review its Code of Conduct to determine whether disciplinary procedures relating to sexism and misogyny should be strengthened.
Two additional representatives from the women’s game will also join the RFU Council, increasing female representation within the governing body’s decision-making structure.
What Will It Mean for Clubs?
For many clubs, the biggest impact is likely to be greater clarity.
Rather than replacing existing safeguarding procedures, the new policy provides more specific guidance on responding to sexism and misogyny, helping volunteers and club officials deal with incidents more consistently.
The educational resources are also intended to give coaches, referees and administrators greater confidence when handling situations that arise during training, matches and club activities.
How consistently those measures are adopted across community rugby will be one of the key factors in determining the programme’s long-term success.
Support Across the Game
The announcement has been welcomed by leaders from across English rugby.
RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney said there is no place for sexism or misogyny in rugby and described the programme as an important step towards long-term cultural change.
Women in Sport said the partnership demonstrates how sport can play a positive role in challenging unacceptable behaviour and creating opportunities for women and girls to participate.
The initiative was also backed by Premiership Women’s Rugby Executive Chair Genevieve Shore and PREM Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor.
RFC Analysis
The RFU’s announcement is one of the most significant governance initiatives introduced in English rugby in recent years. Rather than creating a single new rule, it combines policy, education, governance reform and practical support for clubs into a long-term strategy.
The challenge now shifts from policy to implementation. Community rugby depends heavily on volunteers, and the effectiveness of the programme will be measured not by the publication of new guidance but by whether clubs are able to apply it consistently and participants experience meaningful improvements over time.
As women’s rugby continues to grow in England, many national unions will be watching closely to see how the initiative develops and whether similar approaches are adopted elsewhere in the sport.
