Accra, Ghana — Ghana Rugby has taken a historic leap with the launch of Rising Play, a World Rugby–backed initiative designed to introduce teenage girls to the sport for the first time. Officially unveiled this month, the program marks a bold step in creating a clear and sustainable pathway for young women to grow in rugby — both on and off the field.
What Rising Play Offers
At its core, Rising Play targets teenage girls with no prior experience in rugby. The ten-session curriculum blends basic skills training with the sport’s enduring values: teamwork, discipline, and integrity. More than a grassroots introduction, the program offers a structured route for participants to progress into Tier 1 rugby, opening doors to future opportunities as players, coaches, referees, and administrators.
This initiative is part of World Rugby’s Impact Beyond 2025, a global effort tied to the Women’s Rugby World Cup that seeks to leave a legacy of growth and empowerment in emerging rugby nations.
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A New Chapter in Ghanaian Women’s Rugby
The program’s launch is a milestone built on two decades of steady progress. The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), established in 2003, saw its first female leader in Mrs. Gifty Anna Myers. Since then, the women’s game has grown rapidly.
Between 2021 and 2022, female player registration rose by 54%, and the number of women’s teams expanded from three to four. The national women’s team also recorded a breakthrough moment in 2023–2024, playing its first-ever international matches against Nigeria.
Leadership and Legacy
Under the stewardship of Ms. Rafatu Inusah, current GRFU President and a member of Rugby Africa’s Women’s Advisory Committee, Ghanaian women are shaping the sport’s future not just locally but across the continent.
“Rising Play is more than training drills — it’s about building confidence and creating leaders through rugby,” said Inusah at the launch.
The program’s vision extends beyond the pitch. By empowering teenage girls through sport, Rising Play underscores a broader movement for women’s leadership, opportunity, and representation in Ghanaian athletics.
Looking Ahead
With World Rugby’s support and local ambition, Rising Play has positioned Ghana at the forefront of women’s rugby development in Africa. If the momentum continues, the next generation of female athletes could carry the Ghanaian flag not just on the continental stage but also onto the global rugby map.
As Ghana Rugby looks toward its future, one thing is clear: the country’s teenage girls are no longer just spectators — they are now players in the making, part of a new era for women’s sport.
Source: Accra Street Journal | Accra Sports News
Last Updated on September 13, 2025 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
