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Royal London & The Lions Open Applications for €46,000* (£40k) Rugby Award
Four winning clubs, one each from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will receive €11,500* (£10k) to invest in their club
To date, Royal London has invested €92,000* (£80k) into grassroots rugby clubs across the UK and Ireland through its partnership with The British and Irish Lions
Royal London, Founding Partner of The British & Irish Lions Women’s rugby team, today announces that applications are open for its annual Championing Women and Girls’ Grassroots Rugby Award. The initiative, in its third year, recognises four clubs per year, one chosen from each Union (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), who will receive a trophy plus a €11,500* (£10k) grant to invest in their women and girls' programmes. Applications are open until 12pm on Monday 20 July 2026 via the Lions website.
Building on Royal London's commitment to support the long-term development of women’s rugby across the UK and Ireland, the programme recognises grassroots clubs championing participation, inclusion, and equality within their local communities, and inspiring future generations.
Successful clubs will have demonstrated a strong commitment to growing participation and representation across all aspects of their club, including:
- Community outreach and access to playing opportunities
- Promoting equality across club activities
- Celebrating women’s successes and achievements
- Supporting the progression of players, coaches, staff, and leadership at all levels
Last year, Royal London received over 250 applications (up from 127 in 2024), with winners including Lancaster Lionesses (England), Buccaneers RFC (Ireland), Greenock Wanderers RFC (Scotland) and Ynysddu BG RFC (Wales). Last year’s cohort builds on the 2024 winners’ roster which includes: Guisborough RUFC (England), Cooke RFC (Ireland), East Kilbride RFC (Scotland), and Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon (Wales). In total €92,000* (£80k) has been donated to eight clubs so far and the latest €46,000* (£40k) award will take Royal London’s investment in grassroots rugby across the four Home Unions to €138,000* (£120k).
Women’s sport is gaining recognition and attracting more interest. This manifested in record breaking crowds for Women’s Six Nation matches with new bars set at England, Scotland and Ireland home fixtures during the tournament.
Susie Logan, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Royal London said:
“Royal London is dedicated to levelling the playing field for women’s rugby. We want to unlock the potential of women and girls, empowering them to lead, succeed, and thrive both on and off the field.
“The rise of women’s sport is great to see, and we want to support more women and girls who are being inspired to take part in grassroots rugby to have opportunities to play across the UK and Ireland.
“This award highlights the outstanding initiatives clubs have in place to support women’s and girls’ rugby in their communities and means that clubs can aspire to achieve more. It’s vital that we keep the momentum going and build on the great work being done by so many clubs to support their members and grow the game in their local area.”
Shaunagh Brown, Royal London ambassador said:
“The opportunity for women and girls to play rugby in their local communities is so important to grow the women’s game to the next level. As a coach, I see firsthand the positive impact investing into grassroots rugby is having and how things are improving. There is always more to do, but this award from Royal London will have a huge impact for the winning clubs and their communities.
“I’ve been part of the judging for the awards every year and it’s so uplifting to hear about the ways clubs and their members are pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers to bring more women and girls into the sport. I’m looking forward to reviewing the applications this year, showcasing the inspiring grassroots rugby stories from around the UK and Ireland.”
Ends
*GBP amounts of £40,000, £80,000 and £10,000 translated at an assumed rate of 1.15 (June 2026).
Notes to editors
Applications are open until 12pm Monday 20 July 2026 via the Lions website. Entries will go through a rigorous two-stage judging process, featuring a panel comprising representatives from Royal London, the Lions, independent experts, and Our Ambassadors.
For more information and to apply, visit: Lions' website
About Royal London
Royal London is the largest mutual life, pensions and investment company in the UK, and in the top 30 mutuals globally*, with assets under management of £199 billion, 8.5 million policies in force and over 5,000 employees. Figures quoted are as at 31 December 2025.
Royal London supports partnerships aligned to its values as a purpose-driven, modern mutual. This includes our work as the only Founding Partner of the first British & Irish Lions Women's Team, where we are investing in women's and girls' rugby across both grassroots and elite levels to support the development of the next generation of players and coaches.
Learn more at royallondon.com.
*Based on total 2022 premium income. ICMIF Global 500, 2024
About The British & Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions is an iconic sporting brand in the world of rugby. Every four years, the Lions – the best of the best selected from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – travel to the southern hemisphere to take on Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa on landmark tours.
In 2027, The British & Irish Lions will travel to New Zealand for the inaugural Lions Women’s Tour, with the Lions Women’s Team taking on the Black Ferns in a historic three-Test Series alongside a programme of pre-Test fixtures. The Tour represents a major milestone for the Lions and the continued growth of the women’s game across the four home Unions.
The Lions foundations are strong, built upon 130 years of history and tradition with tours taking place regularly since 1888. The Lions is the pinnacle of players’ careers, a once in a lifetime experience for fans and leaves an enduring legacy wherever the team visit.
About Royal London Ireland
Royal London Ireland has a history of protecting its policyholders and their families, and it is committed to continue to do so for a long time to come. Our heritage in Ireland is 190 years starting when the Caledonian Insurance Company's first office opened on York Street, Dublin 2 in 1834. Today, Royal London Ireland is owned by The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited – the UK’s largest mutual life insurance, pensions and investment company, and in the top 30 mutuals globally*, with assets under management of €228 billion, 8.5 million policies in force, and over 5,000 employees. Figures quoted are as at 31 December 2025.
Royal London Ireland’s office is based at 47-49 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
*Based on total 2022 premium income. ICMIF Global 500, 2024