World Rugby relaunches women’s health webinar series with focus on supporting girls entering the game

World Rugby has announced the return of its Women’s Health Webinar Series, with the first 2026 session focusing on how coaches, parents and support staff can help girls build confidence, stay engaged and thrive when they first take up rugby.

The free online session, scheduled for 23 June scheduled for 23 June, marks the latest phase of World Rugby’s wider commitment to improving health, wellbeing and participation opportunities for women and girls across the sport.

The webinar is aimed at coaches, parents and anyone supporting young female players as they begin their rugby journey. You can register to attend via this link.

Supporting girls at a crucial stage

The opening webinar will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing girls entering rugby, providing practical guidance and evidence-based resources designed to support participation and long-term retention in the sport. According to World Rugby, the session will offer advice on creating positive environments where young players can develop confidence, skills and a lasting connection with the game.

The organisation says the initiative reflects growing recognition that keeping girls engaged in sport requires more than technical coaching. Factors such as confidence, physical development, social support and wellbeing increasingly influence whether young athletes remain involved through adolescence.

Building on a growing women’s health programme

The webinar series was first launched ahead of the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England and has since become part of World Rugby’s broader women’s health and welfare strategy. Previous sessions have covered topics including breast health, menstrual health, pelvic health and nutrition - areas historically underrepresented in sports education despite their importance to female athletes.

World Rugby says recordings of all previous webinars remain freely available online, helping players, coaches, medical staff and administrators access expert guidance regardless of location or level of participation.

Addressing gaps in female sports research

The renewed focus on women’s health comes amid increasing awareness of the lack of female-specific research across sport.

Recent studies have highlighted significant gaps in knowledge around issues including injury prevention, concussion management, menstrual health and long-term athlete welfare in women’s rugby.

Researchers at Cardiff University are currently conducting one of the first major studies examining the impact of repeated head impacts on female rugby players, with findings expected later this year.

Experts have argued that female athletes have often been required to rely on evidence derived from male participants, creating challenges for coaches and medical professionals seeking tailored approaches to player welfare.

More sessions planned for 2026

World Rugby has confirmed that two additional women’s health webinars will be delivered later this year. These sessions will focus on knee injuries in the women’s game and other health and welfare topics affecting female players.

The governing body’s Science and Medical Manager, Dr Lindsay Starling, said the aim is to provide parents and coaches with access to accurate and practical information that can help young girls enjoy positive experiences in rugby from the outset.

Growing momentum in the women’s game

The relaunch of the webinar series comes as women’s rugby continues to experience significant growth worldwide. World Rugby has expanded several initiatives aimed at increasing participation and leadership opportunities for women, including career development programmes and wellbeing initiatives introduced following the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

At the same time, policymakers and sporting organisations are increasingly examining barriers that prevent girls and women from entering and remaining in sport. Recent evidence presented to UK parliamentarians highlighted concerns about sexism, limited pathways and a lack of female role models across many sporting environments.

Supporters of the webinar series argue that providing evidence-based health education and stronger support networks can play an important role in addressing these challenges and ensuring more girls feel confident participating in rugby over the long term.

Sources

• World Rugby, Women’s Health Webinar Series returns with session on supporting girls into rugby (10 June 2026).

• World Rugby, Women’s Health: Essential Information for Every Player, Coach and Support Staff.

• World Rugby, Players, officials and medics encouraged to sign up to menstrual health webinar (2025).

• World Rugby, Women in Rugby Careers Programme for 2026.

• The Guardian, Sexism and bullying keeping women out of careers in sport, MPs told (5 June 2026).

• The Guardian, Pioneering study aims to find out how repeated blows to head in women’s rugby affects brain (24 May 2026).