The success of the England women’s rugby union team in the World Cup final is being heralded as a chance to help to build momentum to inspire future generations in the sport and promote health and wellbeing.
The Red Roses’ 33-13 triumph over Canada on Saturday (27 September) saw England win the Women’s Rugby World Cup for a third time while registering a record-breaking run of 33 Test victories.
England's dominance in the sport is now defining women's rugby, and chair, Cllr George Jabbour, claimed that the success of the national team during a home World Cup will help inspire more people to pursue healthier lifestyles.
The England World Cup squad featured several players who grew up in North Yorkshire, including Zoe Aldcroft, who is from Scarborough, and Morwenna Talling and Tatyana Heard, who both played for Malton and Norton RUFC.
And it is the second major success for a women’s national team this year after England won the Euro 2025 football final with the 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Spain in July.
Cllr Jabbour said: “The triumph of the England women’s rugby team is such a magnificent achievement and shows the immense dedication all the squad have to the sport.
“The national team has become a dominant force in the game, but to win the World Cup at home here in England is a special moment.
“All of us in North Yorkshire are so proud of the whole team, including those members of the squad who have links to our county.”
The successes of both the women’s rugby and football national teams in recent years has seen a dramatic rise in interest in the sports.
It is hoped that the latest successes of the teams will inspire younger generations of girls and teenagers to become involved in football and rugby, as well as helping to promote wider health and wellbeing.
A new sport and active wellbeing service has been launched under the Active North Yorkshire banner as the council brings all its leisure services in-house.
Active North Yorkshire is focused on supporting everyone in the community to be active, with an increased emphasis placed on improving the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the county’s communities.
A proposed leisure investment strategy which could see £40 million invested in facilities across North Yorkshire is due to be considered by the council’s executive in November.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The successes of the England women’s football and rugby teams should be celebrated by everyone, and we hope that it will help to inspire our residents to pursue heathier lives themselves.
“Our Active North Yorkshire service is aimed at ensuring all our communities have the opportunity to do just that, promoting the benefits of health and wellbeing to everyone in the county.
“The proposed leisure investment strategy has been drawn up to ensure that there are the best facilities available across North Yorkshire, and the executive will consider the plans carefully when we meet next month.”