Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu

On Saturday 25 April 2026, Rugby Club Luxembourg (RCL) hosted the fourth edition of its Rugby Ladies Day at the Boy Konen sports fields in Luxembourg-Cessange, in the presence of Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence and Gender Equality, Yuriko Backes.

The event brought together more than 50 participants, the youngest of whom was six years old. The Ambassador of Ireland to Luxembourg, Jean McDonald, Jean-François Boulot, President of the Luxembourg Rugby Federation, and Nick Frank, President of the Luxembourg Touch Federation, also attended.

“The main goal is to show that girls can play rugby and that sport is for everyone. We want to inspire more girls to get on the pitch and have fun,” said Giulia Iannucci, President of Rugby Club Luxembourg, in an interview with Chronicle.lu. She added that this year’s edition was “more organised”, with a dedicated team of volunteers preparing the event in advance and a focus on encouraging girls to take the lead on the pitch.

The programme included a warm-up session followed by a series of activity stations, ranging from non-contact Touch rugby to contact drills and team exercises. Participants also had the opportunity to try a scrum machine, with the day concluding with friendly matches.

Minister Yuriko Backes also addressed the importance of supporting women in sport. “Women are taking their place in sport, visibly and confidently. But they must be supported. I strongly believe that all sports must be accessible, safe and welcoming for everyone, no matter the gender,” she said.

Giulia Iannucci also highlighted the involvement of partners such as the volunteer-led initiative “She Plays Luxembourg”, noting that they support girls in sport from an early age and aim to encourage participation. “Part of this idea is to show that girls can do whatever they want […] we know that girls tend to drop out of sport around the age of fourteen, so it’s really important to continue to do sport for both mental and physical health and to break down barriers.”

Some of the girls taking part this year had previously attended Rugby Ladies Day and later joined Rugby Club Luxembourg following earlier editions, highlighting the event’s role in encouraging long-term participation in the sport. This year’s edition, held in sunny weather, continued to promote inclusivity, diversity and gender equality, with organisers aiming to inspire more girls and women to take up rugby.