The Rugby Football Union "is to award full-time professional contracts to the England Women’s squad for the first time" ahead of its defense of the World Cup title next year, according to Gavin Mairs of the London TELEGRAPH. In a move that is part of an investment of more than £1M ($1.3M) in the women’s game, the RFU is to award 48 contracts, including 16 full-time deals for members of the 15-a-side squad following the Olympics in Rio.
An additional 16 players whose main focus "is the seven-a-side game will be handed three-day-a-week contracts." A further 16 contracts "will be awarded on a short-term basis to allow players to go into residential camps ahead of tournaments such as the Six Nations and the Women’s Rugby World Cup" (TELEGRAPH, 7/21). SKY SPORTS reported RFU CEO Ian Ritchie said, "The RFU is committed to supporting the growth of women's rugby. ... More women and girls in this country are playing rugby than ever before, and England Women are important role models to encourage more people to try our sport."
The recipients of the full-time contracts "will be announced in September, when the deals will come into effect" (SKY SPORTS, 7/21).