Israel’s Women’s Rugby Program Sees Significant Growth and Success

Israel is experiencing a surge in women’s participation in rugby, marked by both on-field achievements and increased investment in development programs. As of 2026, the Israel Rugby Union (IRU) is actively promoting women’s rugby at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to the national team, reflecting a broader global trend of growth in the sport.

National Team Triumph and European Championship Success

Israel’s National Women’s team in rugby 7s, coached by Omer Chalfi, recently achieved a historic milestone by winning the European Conference championship [Source: Israel Rugby Union]. This victory has secured their promotion to the Trophy competition. The team demonstrated a dominant performance throughout the championship, with decisive wins over Luxembourg (29-5), Lithuania (35-0), Bulgaria (48-0), Monaco (42-0), Croatia (29-0), and a thrilling 14-10 victory over Austria in the finals, sealed by a full-pitch endeavor from captain Naama Bedihi [Source: Israel Rugby Union].

Expanding Opportunities for Women in Rugby

The IRU is actively expanding opportunities for women to participate in rugby, not only as players but also as coaches, referees, and administrators. Women’s teams operate within the Israeli Women’s Rugby League, including clubs in Upper Galilee, Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Owls (Maccabi Rishon LeZion), Jerusalem, Hadarim, and Maccabi Haifa [Source: Ynetnews]. These teams compete in the Women’s Sevens League tournaments, forming the foundation for the development of women’s rugby within the country.

Grassroots Development and New Programs

A significant development is the introduction of a girls’ Tag Rugby league in cooperation with the School Sport Federation, involving seven teams from across Israel [Source: Ynetnews]. Girls are integrated into rugby clubs alongside boys up to the age of 14 in locations such as Hadarim, Upper Galilee, Jezreel, Haifa, and Jerusalem, with some clubs, like Upper Galilee, even fielding full girls’ teams.

Leadership and Investment

Women are taking on key leadership roles within the IRU, including positions such as Leagues Manager, Safeguarding Officer, Instructor Course Coordinator, and the coach of the women’s national team [Source: Ynetnews]. Senior Israeli female referees are also representing the country in European and international competitions, participating in professional training courses and seminars. The IRU is demonstrating financial commitment to women’s rugby, allocating approximately 30 percent of public funding to women’s activities and girls’ development programs [Source: Ynetnews].

Global Trends and Future Outlook

The growth of women’s rugby in Israel aligns with a global trend. Worldwide, approximately 2.7 million women and girls participate in rugby, representing over a quarter of all players, and this number is rapidly increasing. The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England broke attendance records, with 444,465 tickets sold and a final match attendance of 81,885 [Source: Ynetnews].

Boni Manor Gottfried, CEO of the Israel Rugby Union, stated, “We are proud to see more and more women becoming part of Israeli rugby as players, coaches, referees and administrators. Rugby is a sport built on values of community, teamwork and equal opportunity, so it is natural for us to lead the promotion of women in sport. Building infrastructure for girls is one of our key goals for the coming years to ensure that every girl in Israel who chooses rugby has a framework in which she can develop.” [Source: Ynetnews]