Grassroots to greatness: supporting the next generation of female rugby stars
As proud sponsors of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Volvic launched the Force of Nature Fund to support getting more girls playing rugby across the UK to awaken their inner force.
Volvic’s Force of Nature fund supported grassroots rugby clubs and organisations to help get more girls into rugby.
Figures from World Rugby show only around 158,000 girls (pre-teens and teens) are playing rugby in the UK, whilst 460,000 boys in the same age group involved in the sport.
To level the playing field, Volvic committed to offering grants of up to £5,000 to grassroots rugby clubs to join our mission to get more girls into rugby. This could be anything from creating female changing facilities, purchasing girls’ rugby kit or increasing the number of girls only training sessions.
The grassroots winners
We are excited to announce the 8 winners of a Volvic grant of up to £5,000 to grassroots rugby clubs, with the mission to get more girls into rugby.
But wait, there was also a bonus Prize — the rugby club with the best submission and highest number of votes would receive a bonus prize of rugby merchandise, and a visit from England rugby star, Natasha Hunt!
Thank you to everyone who took part, showed their support, and cast their votes. Your passion for championing girls’ and women’s rugby has been incredible to see. Together, you’ve helped shine a light on the clubs, coaches, and young players who are working hard to grow the game at every level.
Stay tuned to here what the clubs do with the money and the difference it will make to the clubs.
Pontefract RUFC
Bonus prize winner
Winning the Force of Nature Fund is a huge boost for our Women’s and Girls’ rugby. We’re proud to see female participation growing stronger every season. This award recognises the passion of our players and volunteers who are breaking barriers and building a future where rugby is truly for everyone. It also highlights the influence we have across our local community who, without their votes, helped make this possible for us.
Rugby at Pontefract is about opportunity, community and belonging. The rapid growth of girls’ and women’s rugby here shows how powerful sport can be in building confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships. The Force of Nature Fund allows us to keep pushing forward — improving access, facilities, coaching and visibility so our female players receive the same opportunities as the male side. Our long-term vision includes establishing an U18 girls team, completing the pathway so girls of every age have a place in the sport.
Established in 1947, we now have over 400+ members across the whole club, with approx. 100 female players.
Find out more about Pontefract RUFC at www.pontefractrufc.com.
Medway RFC
This award moves us closer to our mission: to be the rugby club of choice in our region, where ambition and community spirit come together—supported by exceptional facilities and opportunities—for all members to enjoy the game and for every player to reach their full potential.
At Medway Women & Girls Rugby, we take immense pride in the rugby and life skills we develop within our teams. With this backing, we can enhance the game we deliver today while shaping a lasting legacy for female rugby at our club.
Find out more about Medway RFC at www.mrfc.net.
Aylesbury RFC
We are delighted to have been selected as a winner! Developing female Rugby at Aylesbury RFC is an absolute priority and partnership with the Volvic Force of Nature Fund will really make a difference!
Established in 1931, we have over 900 members and over 650 registered players. We run 16 Age Group teams in the Junior Section (Under 6 to Under 11 in Minis, and Under 12 to Under 16 and Colts for boys with Under 12, 14, 16 and 18 Girls teams). We have three senior men’s teams and two senior women’s teams.
Our Club means a great deal to our whole membership and the wider local community. We are inclusive and friendly and promote the true ethos of grassroots Rugby.
Find out more about Aylesbury RFC at www.aylesburyrfc.co.uk.
Longlevens RFC
Winning the Volvic Force of Nature Fund means we can reach women who often feel left out of sport and grow a team where every woman belongs. We're incredibly proud to have won the Volvic Force of Nature Fund. For us this isn't just funding. It's a chance to open up the world of mixed ability rugby to more women in our community.
With this support, we'll deliver inclusive outreach sessions, develop new female coaches, and invest in safe training equipment so that every woman can learn at their own pace. We'll also help new players get the kit they need to feel confident stepping onto the pitch.
Find out more about Longlevens RFC at longlevensrugby.rfu.club.
Minchinhampton RFC
Minch RFC is a community like no other. The clubhouse is a second home, the people in it a second family. Our ‘one club’ motto is reflective of our commitment to inclusivity and the integration across all sections of the club. To be able to see the club continue to evolve and respond to the changing face of rugby nationally and internationally has been immensely rewarding. When we set out to build a women’s team, we wanted it to provide a pathway for our girls to not only continue in grassroots rugby, but to become lifelong members of the Minch RFC family.
Minchinhampton RFC was established in 1982 and was a nomadic club playing on the common. In 2015 we moved to our current grounds and completed our new clubhouse in 2017. Girls teams started in 2021 and women’s in 2022. Total club members are approx 500+, with just over 100 women and girls.
Find out more about Minchinhampton RFC at www.minchrugby.com.
Sidmouth RFC
We are just blown away to win this money! It brings us a step closer to getting the lights needed to bring the female game to our Friday nights, kicking off the weekend and shining a light not just on the pitch but on women’s rugby in Sidmouth.
Established in 1884 (first girls team in 2012 and first women’s team in 2020), we have approx. 400 members. We run Juniors from U6s to U18s inc girls, Mens – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Vets, and Women's 1st. We have three senior men’s teams and two senior women’s teams.
Sidmouth Rugby Club is more than just a sports club, it is part of the community bringing all ages together to keep fit and to make friends for life.
Find out more about Sidmouth RFC at www.sidmouthrfc.co.uk.
Eastbourne RFC
Winning the Volvic Women’s Rugby Grant means the world to us. It recognises the hard work and unwavering dedication of our women’s squad, who pour their heart into every training session and match. At Eastbourne Rugby, we’re devoted to opening doors for girls and women, giving them a place to grow, belong, and shine within this sport we love.
The club was established in 1921 and currently has an ever growing membership of over 300 players and members and run 17 teams at the club ranging from under 6’s to the senior women’s and men’s teams.
For me and my family, Eastbourne Rugby Club is where community becomes family and rugby becomes home.
Find out more about Eastbourne RFC at www.eastbournerugby.com.
Shrewsbury RFC
Winning the Volvic Grassroots Grant means the world to us. For a club like ours — built on community spirit, volunteers, and pure passion — this support will be transformational. It feels like a huge vote of confidence in the journey we’re on to grow women’s and girls’ rugby in Shrewsbury, and it shows our players that their dreams matter.
This grant helps us break real barriers — from coaching gaps to kit, confidence and access — and gives us the tools to create a sustainable future for women’s and girls’ rugby in Shrewsbury. It accelerates everything we’re trying to build.
The club was established in 1908, we have around 360 members across the club, including more than 60 women and girls — and growing fast.
Shrewsbury RUFC is more than a rugby club — it’s a family. We’re one club, one community, and a place where people of every background, size and story can belong. Rugby gives confidence, friendship, resilience and joy, and we see that change happening every day in our women and girls’ section.
Find out more about Shrewsbury RFC at shrewsburyrufc.rfu.club.