The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup hasn’t even kicked off yet, but it’s already making history with a record-breaking 275000 tickets sold. It’s a powerful reminder that interest in women’s rugby is soaring, yet when you focus in on the domestic game in Scotland, there’s a lingering disconnect between the growing passion in the stands and the level of support the players receive behind the scenes.
The women who represent Scotland at rugby are elite athletes. They train just as hard, sacrifice as much and compete with the same fire as their male counterparts. The question is: do they get the same backing? The same funding, facilities, media coverage, and crowd support? The short answer, not yet.
At Scotland’s men’s international matches, you can always expect packed stands, fan zones and robust media coverage. Meanwhile, the Scottish women’s team despite a string of strong performances and rising stars, often plays to smaller crowds and less fanfare.
Why is there a disconnect?
It often comes down to history, Men’s rugby has had years of professional infrastructure, big sponsorships, and media attention. The women’s game, by contrast, was tempted to be banned in some countries like Tonga to ‘preserve dignity,’ which caused outrage against the Tongan government. The visibility for the women’s sport hasn’t been there and you can’t support what you don’t see.
There’s also been an ongoing perception issue of the women’s sports. For many years, it has been seen as a lesser version, slower, less physical and less entertaining. For anyone who’s watched the current Scotland squad play, knows that’s simply not true. The physicality, pace and skill – it’s all there. The quality isn’t missing, it’s what surrounds it: the marketing push, the prime time coverage, and the storytelling that builds connection with the fans.
Male players in Scotland have professional contracts, access to full-time training environments, extensive support teams, and a clear pathway through club, academy and international levels. Although some of the Scottish women have contracts, many of their female counterparts still juggle jobs, studies and training and often do so without the security of a professional deal or financial support.
The shift is already beginning. Record ticket sales for the World Cup. Increased social media engagement. More girls picking up a rugby ball for the first time.
Elis Martin, hooker and Scottish rugby internationalist spoke on the increased crowd at women’s games saying: “100% it’s growing, and a favourite moment for me is when you leave after the game and you have the tunnel, which is always an outstanding experience and I’m usually standing there for hours.
“I absolutely love hearing the stories from younger girls who know who I am as an athlete, saying my name, I’ve seen a massive growth. Even between last season and this season, people in the crowd would shout your shirt number but now they know who we are and shout for us. It’s the best part ever.”
With less than six months to go until the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, there’s a real push across the UK to grow the women’s game. The four Home Unions – including Scottish Rugby – are working together under the Impact ’25 programme, a UK Sport-funded legacy initiative that aims to leave a lasting mark on the women’s game long after the final whistle of the tournament.
At the heart of it is the goal to build better pathways for elite female players, improve coaching and officiating standards, and ultimately raise the level of international competition. Each Union is taking a slightly different approach, tailoring the funding to suit their own domestic needs.
In Scotland, that’s meant investing in full-time performance coaches at Regional Training Centres, ensuring that players – no matter where they live – can access high-level coaching on a daily basis. That’s 100 athletes now training consistently, with professional support. It’s a promising step forward, and a sign that things are
changing. Is it enough?
The future of women’s rugby in Scotland is filled with potential — but potential means nothing without investment, visibility, and belief. The athletes are already doing their part: performing, inspiring, and growing the game from the grassroots up. Now, it’s time for the structures around them to catch up.
Change is happening, but slowly. Women’s rugby deserves more than moments. It deserves movement.
