"The Women's Rugby World Cup has made a strong start with decent crowds and good viewing figures. But there was a concerted effort to go beyond familiar territory in this tournament and lay down some roots in the north of England, too. The early signs suggest that may well have been achieved. Sunderland, Salford and York have all hosted group stage matches; two of those are more used to staging professional rugby league games, while Sunderland is hardly a rugby territory."
"But if you have been at any of those stadiums over the past two weekends you will have had a sense that rugby union can have some cut-through. It is a deliberate move to create inspiring occasions for young girls considering taking up rugby. Remember the northern games during the 2010 Women's World Cup in England? No? That's because there weren't any; every game was in the south, the majority at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford."
The Women's Rugby World Cup staged group matches in Sunderland, Salford and York, drawing more than 88,000 supporters across seven northern games. The tournament placed fixtures in league-heavy and non-rugby areas to broaden reach and create inspiring occasions for young girls to take up rugby. Early attendance and viewing figures were strong, and matchday atmospheres generated excitement beyond the on-field action. The northern leg contrasts with 2010, when all matches were in southern venues. The northern hosting aims to leave a legacy of increased participation and regional engagement with women's rugby.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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