The URC Women’s Leadership Academy is open for applications to be part of its 2025 cohort.
The league is making a global call for entries to a programme that was created to address research which revealed that 92% of women faced barriers entering the sports industry, and that 8 in 10 women would like access to a mentoring programme with women working in sport.
When the URC launched three seasons ago with a new vision for the game, it sought to do so much more with an equally strong vision to help transform the sports industry and create a pathway for women into all areas of the industry.
The URC Women’s Leadership Academy, sponsored by CVC, is the blueprint for this vision as it brings together aspiring female applicants with leading women in the business of sport for a series of workshops and the creation of a network of like-minded women.
Women around the world between the ages of 18-26 can now apply for entrance to the academy.
A final selection process will identify 50 successful candidates who will undergo a series of CV-boosting workshops led by internationally acclaimed women in the sports industry.
The speakers all volunteer their time which itself speaks to the value they see in the programme and the real change it is making.
Online registrations for the programme are now open through to 31 January 2025.
Prospective candidates are asked to submit a short video biography of themselves explaining why they want to be a part of the programme by visiting wla.unitedrugby.com
All participants can graduate and the top “MVP” (Most Valuable Player) graduate will earn work experience at the URC Grand Final 2025 as well as an internship programme to further her career within the sports industry.
“This programme has really sparked a different level of confidence in me, and it’s encouraged me to think and dream bigger,” says Genesis Cele, who was crowned the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the 2024 WLA, earning herself an internship with the URC.
“Learning from women who have actually made it in the industry inspired me so much. I was able to attend the URC Grand Final and interview Glasgow Warriors legend Ryan Wilson. This programme is exceptionally well run and has given me a clear understanding of what I want from my career in sport.”
“The programme was everything they advertised it to be,” says UK candidate and runner-up MVP Dayna Strongman.
“We all got something amazing to put on our CVs and the contacts we made were phenomenal. It was inspiring to see women who have made it in the industry and to learn from them, because it just gives you that self-belief that it’s possible.”
For the WLA aligns perfectly with their own corporate objectives.
“At CVC we feel that having female role models is important within all industries, but specifically in sport where so many women report that they are facing barriers to entry,” added Jane Howard, Vice President of Philanthropy at CVC who have supported the programme since its inception.
“We are proud to be involved with a programme that makes sport even more accessible to all.”
“The URC is committed to creating career pathways for women and nurturing the next generation of sports leaders.”
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The power of networking is all around us and this is a great way to charge up the opportunities that exist within sport at a global level. Rugby is the medium but far from the only sport from which applicants have been and will be drawn. Most of the activity takes place online enabling fully global participation and you will make contacts here that will stand to you throughout your career, and your life. The worst that can happen is you don’t make the cut. If you don’t apply you definitely will miss out.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport for Business is deep into the 2024 edition of our 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport. Check out the listing so far at the link on the right and who knows, applicants to this programme could be featuring in years to come.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
