The cost to the IRFU of hosting this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast will come in at around €1.5 million.
The balance of the €4 million cost of staging the tournament will be met by contributions from World Rugby, Sponsorship, Partnerships with Dublin and Belfast City Councils, Ticket revenue and Government support.
The total investment in Women’s Rugby this year will be more than double that amount with a 25 per cent increase in funding to €2.1 million covering development of the game in both the sevens and fifteens format.
A similar 25 per cent increase has been budgeted for the 2017/18 season to capitalise on the success of the tournament and the associated Women’s rugby World Cup trophy Tour that has brought the game to clubs, schools and communities all across the country.
“The successful delivery of the Women’s Rugby World Cup is of huge importance for the future growth of the game in Ireland,” said IRFU Chief Operating Officer Kevin Potts.
“There has been fantastic engagement all across the Island with the Trophy Tour, and the infrastructure and resources that are being put in place will ensure the tournament is a huge success and the most memorable Women’s Rugby World Cup in history.”
“The IRFU is committed to increasing funding to the Women’s game and supporting its growth by creating a legacy from WRWC 2017.”
“Women’s rugby is one of the most vibrant and expanding aspects of our game and with the World Cup to be held in Dublin and Belfast in August, it is likely that a consequence will be a heightened interest and increased participation in the women’s game,” said outgoing President of the IRFU Stephen Hilditch in his report to the AGM on Friday.
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