North West Rugby Participation Continues to Grow as More Young People Discover the Game

Grassroots rugby in the North West continues to go from strength to strength, with the latest figures from the RFU highlighting encouraging growth in participation across clubs, schools and community programmes.

More than 25,000 players were registered at one of the region’s 105 rugby union clubs during the past season, representing an increase of almost 5% compared to the previous year.

Perhaps even more encouraging is the continued growth in the youth game. Over 16,000 age-grade players are now playing club rugby across the North West, while participation among girls has increased by more than 10%, taking the total number of girls playing at clubs to over 1,750.

The growth extends well beyond club rugby. Around 25,000 young people were introduced to the game through school rugby programmes during the past year, with a further 4,000 experiencing rugby through partnerships with Guides and Scouts.

These figures were released by the RFU ahead of England’s Nations Championship fixture against Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but they also provide a wider snapshot of the positive work taking place across the grassroots game.

Introducing Rugby in New Ways

A significant part of this growth has come from finding new and accessible ways to introduce rugby to young people.

Across the region, RFU initiatives, community clubs and organisations such as the Sale Sharks Foundation have worked together to remove barriers and ensure rugby is welcoming to everyone.

One example is the increasing use of T1 Rugby, the RFU’s non-contact format that retains many of rugby union’s traditional features, including scrums, lineouts, kicking and the breakdown, while making the game easier for schools and new participants to access.

In Sefton, RFU School Rugby Manager Alison Watt has introduced T1 Rugby across both primary and secondary schools since joining the role in 2024. Creative initiatives including beach rugby festivals, glow-in-the-dark girls’ events and World Cup-themed festivals have helped make rugby fun, engaging and accessible for young people who may never have considered playing before.

Rather than simply teaching rugby skills, these sessions are helping children build confidence, experience teamwork and discover a sport they may continue enjoying for years to come.

The Importance of Community Partnerships

The growth seen across the North West has been driven by strong collaboration between schools, clubs, charities and the wider rugby community.

The Sale Sharks Foundation continues to play a major role by delivering programmes that support women and girls, disabled participants, disadvantaged communities and young people who may otherwise have limited opportunities to get involved in sport.

By using rugby as a vehicle for inclusion and personal development, these programmes are creating environments where participants feel welcome, supported and part of a community.

It’s a reminder that rugby clubs can offer far more than matches on a Saturday—they provide friendships, confidence, volunteering opportunities and a sense of belonging.

Clubs Creating Opportunities for Everyone

Community clubs are also adapting to meet changing lifestyles and attract new participants.

At Firwood Waterloo RFC, work is underway to rebuild the women’s section while continuing to grow girls’ rugby. Alongside traditional rugby, the club has introduced mixed-gender touch rugby, providing an option for people who either cannot or simply prefer not to play contact rugby.

Initiatives like this are helping clubs welcome entirely new audiences into rugby, with many participants later becoming volunteers and active members of the wider club community.

It’s another example of how offering flexible ways to engage with rugby can strengthen clubs both on and off the pitch.

A Positive Future for Grassroots Rugby

The latest participation figures demonstrate that rugby continues to grow when the game is made accessible, welcoming and relevant to local communities.

Investment in schools, innovative playing formats such as T1 Rugby, strong partnerships and the dedication of volunteers are all helping more people discover the sport for the first time.

For grassroots clubs across the UK, the message is clear: there is huge potential to grow participation by creating inclusive environments, embracing different formats of the game and continuing to reach out into local communities.

At Fill Your Boots, we’re passionate about helping clubs connect with new players, volunteers and supporters. It’s fantastic to see so many positive stories emerging from across the North West, and we hope they inspire clubs everywhere to continue opening their doors to the next generation of rugby players.

Whether it’s contact rugby, touch, walking rugby or T1 Rugby, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

At Fill Your Boots, we’re proud to help connect players with clubs every day. If this story has inspired you to give rugby a go, visit our Find a Rugby Club Map, discover your nearest club, and take your first step into the grassroots rugby community. Because rugby really is a game for everyone.