Hundreds of school children welcome Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy to Exeter College
Hundreds of schoolgirls from across the region welcomed the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy to Exeter on Monday 30 March when it visited Exeter College as part of its national tour of host venues.
Around 250 children from across Devon attended Exeter College’s Centre for Rugby at Flowerpots in Exwick, where they took part in rugby training sessions on the 3G pitch, delivered by Exeter Chiefs Community coaches and current Exeter College students.
The visit to Exeter College was the latest leg of the trophy’s national tour and formed part of a wider celebration recognising Exeter’s role as a host city for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Exeter hosted seven matches – including two quarter finals – played at Sandy Park during the tournament last year.
Alongside the on-pitch activities the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Anne Jobson, hosted a reception at the Centre for Rugby to thank everyone involved in supporting the city’s role in the global event.
Guests included the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, Chief Executive of Exeter Chiefs, Tony Rowe, and Mike Blakely, Exeter and North Devon Colleges (ENDC) Group Executive Director of Partnerships and Apprenticeships.
Mike Blakely, ENDC Group Executive Director of Partnerships and Apprenticeships, added:
“As a huge rugby fan myself I want to thank the Rugby Football Union and Exeter City Council for organising what was a brilliant tournament last year, with some fantastic matches at Sandy Park.
“While the tournament may have wrapped up last September, the impact is clearly still being felt, especially here in Exeter. The Women’s Rugby World Cup didn’t just showcase elite sport; it created real momentum for the women’s game, boosted the local economy, and strengthened collaboration across organisations, including Exeter Chiefs, Exeter Saracens RFC, Topsham RFC and Exeter Athletic RFC.
“Most importantly, it continues to inspire the next generation. With young people engaging directly with the sport and seeing first-hand the opportunities it can open up. Our women’s rugby team continues to grow, and the player development pathway is buzzing with some exceptional talent.”
Cllr Anne Jobson said:
“It was an absolute privilege to be a host city for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. We thoroughly enjoyed looking at the trophy, meeting the players, having a wonderful opening ceremony at the Cathedral, hosting the New Zealand Black Ferns in the Guildhall and the family fun day at the Quay, which was enjoyed by everybody.
“We were privileged to be chosen as a host city and Sandy Park as a host venue for what was truly a sporting spectacle. These events held at the Cathedral, Guildhall and the Quay will long live in the memory.
“The tournament undoubtedly delivered a transformational impact on the game, inspiring female participation in rugby through the success of the tournament and in turn the growth of girls’ rugby across the region.”
Tony Rowe CBE, Chief Executive of Exeter Chiefs, said:
“The Women’s Rugby World Cup was fantastic for Exeter. There was a lot of planning involved which was a joint effort all the way through, and I can’t speak highly enough of everyone in Exeter who was part of organising the tournament.
“It is great to hear that it was such an economic success for the city as well as from a sporting perspective – everybody gained from it.
“To see all the youngsters playing rugby today at this fantastic facility run by the College is absolutely brilliant.”
Since its opening in 2025 Exeter College’s Centre for Rugby has played a key role in developing female rugby talent across the region. The facility is used by hundreds of girls and women every week, including Exeter College’s highly successful women’s rugby academy teams, Exeter Chiefs Women and community clubs.
As well as inspiring more young people to take up the sport, the Women’s Rugby World Cup delivered a significant economic boost to Exeter. Across the tournament, Sandy Park welcomed 58,700 spectators, contributing an estimated £31.7 million to the city’s economy.
