Women in Rugby Coaching Break Records Ahead of 2025 World Cup
A quiet revolution is happening in rugby — and it’s about to take center stage at the **Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025**.
World Rugby and Gallagher have confirmed the latest **14 female coaches** to join the **Gallagher High Performance Academy**, a groundbreaking programme designed to fast-track women into elite coaching roles. Each of them will take up positions within their national team management groups at next year’s tournament — a competition already shaping up to be the most diverse and inclusive in history.
📊 A New Standard for Representation
The numbers tell the story of progress:
* **32% of all coaches at the 2025 World Cup will be women** — more than double the 15% from 2021.
* The total has **quadrupled since 2021**, rising from 6 to **23 female coaches**.
* **40% of management staff across all 16 unions will be women.**
* For the first time ever, **three national teams (France, Australia, Japan)** will be led by **female head coaches**.
The USA (75% female coaches) and Samoa (60%) lead the way in team representation, underlining just how global this momentum has become.
🌟 The Coaches Leading the Charge
The new intake spans every rugby region, with names familiar to fans of both sevens and 15s:
* **Aroa González (Spain)**
* **Bella Milo (Samoa)**
* **Carolyn McEwen (Canada)**
* **Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin (Wales)**
* **Gaëlle Mignot (France)**
* **Gill Bourke (Australia)**
* **Kelly Griffin (USA)**
* **Larissa Muldoon (Ireland)**
* **Michela Merlo (Italy)**
* **Nivia Ferreira (Brazil)**
* **Noriko Taniguchi (Japan)**
* **Sarah Hunter (England)**
* **Tavaita Rowati (Fiji)**
* **Zenay Jordaan (South Africa)**
Mignot, now joint-head coach of France, summed up the spirit of the movement:
> “Every day I get something positive out of my work. From grassroots to professional rugby, every experience enriches me. I’m looking forward to learning from new challenges and exchanging ideas on leading in the women’s game.”
🏉 Driving Change Across Sport
Rugby’s progress is striking when compared to other sports: at the **Paris 2024 Olympics**, just **13% of coaches were women**, a figure almost identical to Tokyo 2020. Even UEFA’s Women’s European Championship, despite major gains, sits at **43.75% female coaches**. Rugby, meanwhile, is closing the gap rapidly — proof that targeted investment is paying off.
Sally Horrox, World Rugby’s Chief of Women’s Rugby, said the impact goes beyond the numbers:
> “This isn’t just about opportunities today — it’s about creating role models for the next generation. By embedding more women in leadership on the world stage, we’re driving lasting change that will benefit rugby for years to come.”
Christopher Mead, Gallagher’s Chief Marketing Officer, echoed the pride:
> “Our goal was to create a meaningful pathway for women at the elite level. The number of coaches at this year’s World Cup shows the program’s global success. Their involvement will inspire others and leave a lasting mark on the women’s game.”
🚀 Looking Ahead
Since its launch in 2023, the Gallagher High Performance Academy has already supported **43 female coaches**, with 11 returning this year to build on their experience. The 2025 World Cup, the biggest edition yet, will place them at the heart of the ultimate rugby stage.
