Scottish Rugby Launches Health Initiative to Support Female Participation

Scottish Rugby has unveiled a new initiative designed to tackle health-related barriers that often limit female participation in rugby. The program introduces six information packs covering key topics including breast health, menstrual health, menopause, pelvic floor health, postpartum return to play, and puberty.

The resources target both players and support staff, offering practical guidance on symptoms, recovery, and long-term wellbeing. By formalising support for these issues, the governing body is attempting to address one of the sport’s persistent structural challenges: retaining women and girls at different stages of their lives.

Expert Backing

Scottish Rugby’s welfare manager, Dr Karen Barclay, described the resources as “a vital step towards giving women and girls greater agency over their health matters in rugby clubs nationwide.”

She noted the importance of normalising conversations about female health within the sport and acknowledged the Rugby Football Union’s Female Athlete Health and Welfare toolkit as an important foundation.

Head of Medical Services for Scotland Women, Florence Laing, added: “These resources are about giving every woman and girl in rugby the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to thrive at every stage of their journey.”

Strategic Context

Participation and retention remain commercial priorities for rugby in Scotland, particularly given the global emphasis on women’s sport as a growth market.

Health challenges are frequently cited as a reason for dropout, and providing evidence-based resources positions Scottish Rugby to better safeguard pathways into the game.

Beyond grassroots benefits, these initiatives carry strategic weight for the organisation’s ability to attract sponsors and partners. A stronger, healthier female player base supports the broader case for investment in women’s rugby ahead of major international events such as the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

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