Red Roses stars champion female health awareness to help keep girls in rugby

Red Roses stars champion female health awareness to help keep girls in rugby

Six England internationals are helping tackle the stigma surrounding female health in rugby, with the Red Roses supporting a new set of Rugby Football Union (RFU) resources designed to help women and girls remain involved in the sport.

Sarah Bern, Megan Jones, Natasha Hunt, Mackenzie Carson, Jess Breach and Delaney Burns feature in a series of videos addressing breast, menstrual and pelvic health. By sharing their experiences, the players hope to encourage more open conversations and make it easier for female players to access the advice and support they need.

One of the films sees Bern speak candidly with Burns about menstrual health, including her own experience of endometriosis. The conversations aim to highlight how health-related challenges can affect participation and why creating a supportive environment is essential at every level of rugby.

RFU launches resources covering nine areas of female health

The Female Rugby Athlete Health Toolkits have been developed for players, coaches, parents and guardians, bringing together practical information across a range of topics relevant to women and girls in the game.

The resources cover nine key areas:

• Breast health: Helping players feel comfortable and confident when participating in rugby.

• Menstrual health: Improving understanding of periods, symptoms and their potential impact on playing.

• Pelvic health: Raising awareness and encouraging players to seek appropriate support.

• Puberty: Supporting girls through the physical and emotional changes that can influence their sporting experience.

• Menopause: Offering guidance on managing symptoms while remaining active in rugby.

• Mental health and mental skills: Promoting wellbeing, confidence and strategies for handling the psychological demands of the game.

• Postpartum return to rugby: Providing guidance for players recovering after childbirth and planning their return to training and competition.

• Optimising performance: Sharing evidence-based advice on preparation, injury risk reduction, player availability and long-term development.

• Female nutrition: Helping players understand the importance of fuelling, recovery and nutritional needs throughout different stages of life.

The initiative comes amid continued growth in girls' rugby. According to the RFU, registrations among female players under the age of 18 have risen by 49% since the 2021/22 season, while registrations in the under-12 girls' category have increased by 73%.

However, keeping girls engaged in sport through adolescence remains a challenge. Research from Women in Sport identifies puberty as a key point at which girls' relationships with physical activity can change, with concerns about body image, periods and being watched by others potentially affecting their willingness to participate.

The research cited by the RFU found that 71% of girls avoid sport while on their period, while 65% dislike being watched when taking part in physical activity.

With more women continuing to play rugby later in life and returning to the game after having children, the RFU hopes the new resources will provide support throughout a player's sporting journey.

Players call for more open conversations

RFU Player Welfare Manager Rachel Faull-Brown said the resources were designed to make reliable information more accessible across the game, helping players and those around them better understand female health.

She highlighted the importance of addressing subjects ranging from puberty and menstrual health to nutrition and returning to rugby after pregnancy, adding that more open conversations could help women and girls feel supported throughout their involvement in the sport.

Red Rose Delaney Burns also stressed the value of ensuring players know where to turn when they have questions about their health.

Burns said that changes to the body and other health concerns can sometimes leave girls unsure about what they are experiencing or whether support is available. She hopes the toolkits will help remove embarrassment around these subjects and encourage the next generation of players to speak up when they need advice.

The six England internationals' involvement reflects a wider effort to make female health an accepted part of player welfare, rather than a subject that players feel uncomfortable discussing.

As participation in girls' rugby continues to grow, providing accessible information and a supportive environment could help more players feel confident about staying in the game.

The Female Rugby Athlete Health Toolkits and videos featuring the Red Roses are available through the RFU's official website.