World Rugby paves the way for future leaders in rugby with 12 new Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarships awarded World Rugby has invested £490,000 in the Executive Leadership Scholarships since the programme’s inception in 2018 CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 8, 2021/APO Group/ -- On International Women’s Day, World Rugby (www.WorldRugby.org) has reconfirmed its commitment and investment into the acceleration of women in leadership positions in rugby through its transformational World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship programme, with 12 new recipients identified across the globe for 2021. On International Women’s Day, World Rugby has reconfirmed its commitment and investment into the acceleration of women in leadership positions in rugby through its transformational World Rugby Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship programme, with 12 new recipients identified across the globe for 2021. Aligned to #IWD2021’s theme of #ChooseToChallenge, World Rugby has invested £490,000 in the Executive Leadership Scholarships since the programme’s inception in 2018, with successful candidates receiving a £10,000 grant to support professional development. In addition, recipients benefit from informal mentoring and are connected with inspirational leaders, both male and female, from the wider global rugby family. A key component of World Rugby’s ambitious strategic plan to accelerate the global development of women in rugby, 2017-25 (https://bit.ly/3rvoPFu), the Executive Leadership Scholarship programme directly delivers against the core pillar to develop inspirational leadership on and off the field. Initially a two-year initiative, the programme has been so successful it is now entering its fourth year, with 37 recipients worldwide already benefitting from scholarships with some notable leadership appointments from the alumni including: The programme is open to women in rugby who are currently involved at governance or senior management level or have the potential to be a senior manager or union/regional association board member in the sport within two years. World Rugby Chair Sir Bill Beaumont today said: “On International Women’s Day 2021 we are proud to be announcing 12 new recipients of our transformational Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship programme. We are fully committed to advancing women in leadership positions in rugby, and this is a key initiative that will have a significant impact on the future growth of our sport. “Our 2021 recipients will follow in the impactful strides of the programme’s alumni, who have progressed to achieve great things as leaders in our sport. I would like to congratulate all of our Executive Leadership Scholarship recipients for 2021.” 2021 World Rugby Women's Executive Leadership Scholarship recipients: Women’s Advisory Committee Chair Serge Simon said: “Through the Executive Leadership Scholarship programme, the landscape of leaders within rugby is evolving, with more women moving into decision-making and leadership positions. We are committed to ensuring that women across the world have equal opportunities at all levels of the game. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients.” World Rugby General Manager of Women’s Rugby Katie Sadleir said: “One of the real success stories of the Executive Leadership Scholarships is not only how the programme has proven it can propel and accelerate women into leadership positions in rugby, but also the organic emergence of a connected, global network of leaders and future women in rugby leaders, where they can seek guidance, knowledge share and importantly celebrate professional successes, no matter how big or small. We are looking forward to working and supporting this year’s scholarship group as they continue with their professional development aspirations.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Rugby.Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.com