Merton SWITCH: council and partners launch ground-breaking rugby programme to empower 1,500 girls through sport.

· by · in Borough of Sport, Sport and leisure. ·

A major new sport-for-development programme is launching in Merton this September, aiming to engage 1,500 girls in rugby over the next two years. Fresh off the back of England’s outstanding performance at the World Cup, The Merton SWITCH Partnership Programme will deliver rugby sessions alongside coach training and wellbeing workshops in schools and clubs across the borough: aiming to inspire the next generation of Red Roses.

The £80,000 initiative, which is part funded by London Borough of Merton, will be led by the Harlequins Foundation and supported by a wide coalition of delivery and strategic partners including The Rugby Football Union (RFU), London Broncos, Star Scheme, London Sport, and Merton School Sports Partnership.

Councillor Caroline Cooper Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage, says:  

“With women’s rugby riding high after a historic win last weekend, the launch of SWITCH couldn’t be more timely. This is the perfect moment to inspire girls across our borough to see rugby differently and give it a go. The programme is another step on Merton’s journey to become London’s first-ever Borough of Sport: a place where everyone can find a sport that works for them.”

SWITCH will provide weekly rugby sessions, led by newly trained female coaches, in local schools and clubs. Alongside coaching fundamental rugby skills, the accompanying workshops and the use of female role models also teach the benefits of sport on mental and physical wellbeing and introduce an understanding of the career pathways girls could have in the sports sector. The initiative is designed to address the unique challenges faced by girls in accessing sport – from confidence and body image issues to cultural and structural barriers.

Jade Shuriah, Regional Development Manager at the Harlequins Foundation says:

“SWITCH isn’t just about teaching how to pass and tackle, it’s about creating a space where young girls feel safe, heard, and confident. The girls learn that strength isn’t always about being the biggest or the fastest, it can be about persistence, teamwork and believing in yourself.

“That sense of belonging and self-esteem is as powerful as any physical skill, and through the programme we ensure all the girls develop the essential skills that will help them succeed on and off the pitch.”

Over the two years, the programme will engage 1,500 girls through rugby sessions and themed workshops, with the goal of encouraging ongoing play and transitioning into club membership. The programme will provide 500 free tickets to elite rugby matches and host a community festival at the end of the year; all aimed at inspiring girls to participate. The programme will also deliver training to 10 new female coaches in the borough, ensuring a sustained legacy of female led rugby participation in Merton. 

Mya Owen, SWITCH participant and now Sports Coach at the Harlequins Foundation says:

“When I first joined the programme, I’d never picked up a rugby ball and I worried I didn’t belong. But as I learned new skills, started feeling stronger, and made friends who supported me, I realised I was capable of more than I thought.

” Rugby has given me confidence, and a purpose. Now I’m coaching young girls in the same programme, I see how the same encouragement, inclusion, and opportunities can change lives the way it changed mine.”

Notes to Editors:

  • SWITCH is a multi-tiered programme created by the Harlequins Foundation giving primary and secondary school girls the chance to participate in rugby, often for the first time. The six week programme focuses on getting girls active and coaching fundamental rugby skills, while the accompanying workshops and the use of female role models also teach the benefits of sport on mental and physical wellbeing and introduce an understanding of the career pathways girls could have in the sports sector.
  • The programme runs from September 2025 to September 2027 in Merton, London.
  • ERCA = England Rugby Coaching Award; CPD = Continuing Professional Development.
  • The project is aligned with national objectives for female participation in sport, workforce diversity, and the legacy of Women’s Rugby World Cup.
  • About Harlequins Foundation: At the Harlequins Foundation, the power of sport and the spirit of Harlequins come together to fuel real, lasting change. Our purpose is clear: to empower young people with the essential skills they need to succeed.