The Women’s Rugby World Cup has kicked off at Franklin’s Gardens, bringing a wave of international attention and economic activity to Northampton.
As one of only five host locations — and the only town selected, alongside cities such as London and Manchester — Northampton is welcoming fans from across the world for seven international fixtures over three weeks. The influx is expected to generate significant revenue for hotels, hospitality, transport and retail businesses in the county.
The tournament is also creating opportunities for the next generation of media professionals. Nine University of Northampton students are working pitch-side as part of the official media team, gaining first-hand experience of broadcasting, reporting and fan engagement at a global sporting event.
“This is the biggest event I’ve worked on so far and it’s a fantastic opportunity to show what we can do,” said Ryan O’Sullivan, a second-year sports journalism student.
Third-year student Sophie Smith, who is supporting international broadcast crews, added: “It’s exciting to have such a big event in Northampton. Women’s rugby is underrepresented, and this is a chance to grow the sport as well as gain professional experience.”
With seven of the nine student reporters being women, the project also highlights the growing diversity of the industry. Just 5% of sports journalists in the UK are women, compared with 40% of students on the university’s sports journalism course.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup is expected to attract record audiences worldwide, cementing Northampton’s status as a rugby hub and showcasing the town as a destination for international events.
Full student media team:
Media operations – Ciara Steward, Justine Larter, Emily Robinson, James Logan
Broadcast assistants – Ryan O’Sullivan, Sophie Smith, Anna Fogden, Jess Andrews Cordoba
Fan services – Erin Bonar
