Northampton Saints Community engaged with more than 280 children across two successful Schools’ Rugby World Cup Awareness weeks ahead of the competition coming to the town later this year.
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – the home of Saints and partner club Loughborough Lightning – is proudly hosting SIX pool stage fixtures in August and September 2025, including the Red Roses’ showdown with Samoa.
With the aim of shining a light on inspirational Lightning players, the Saints Community project engaged with 24 primary schools to research the background of players from near and far who will compete for the women’s game’s ultimate prize in August and September.
This culminated in two festival days at cinch Stadium either side of Christmas, with Year 5 and 6 girls taking part in sign making, a stadium tour, a round robin rugby festival as well as meeting some of Lightning’s international stars.
Participants were also invited to attend Lightning’s Premiership Women’s Rugby showdown in December with defending two-time champions, Gloucester-Hartpury and last Friday’s season finale against Trailfinders, which was settled by Lightning’s Red Roses’ fly-half Helena Rowland’s last-minute dropgoal.
The awareness events formed part of Saints Community’s drive to engage as many women and girls as possible in the build up to the Rugby World Cup.
“This year promises to be a game-changing one for women’s rugby and we’re all massively excited to see six games coming to Northampton,” said women and girls rugby development officer, Tabitha Banks.
“Many of the players who will take centre stage play regularly at cinch Stadium for Loughborough Lightning and we wanted to celebrate their rugby playing ability but also their country and culture.
“It was incredible to see so many primary school children engage in rugby union across our awareness events.”
Tabitha Banks
“Some of the girls who came to the games were attending their first-ever rugby match. Given how incredible the Trailfinders game was especially, we’re hoping that they will feel inspired to come again and watch Lightning or even take up the sport themselves.”
For any enquiries regarding girls rugby delivery with the Saints Community team, please email [email protected]
Click HERE for more information about tickets for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
