2027 APPLICATION
In the world of professional sport, the United Rugby Championship (URC) is making a powerful statement for equal opportunity within the greater sports industry through a groundbreaking programme that is opening up careers in sport to a new generation of women.
Are you a young woman aged 18-26 years who wants to be involved in the sports sector?
Do you have a passion for sport but don’t know what career options are available to you?
The URC Women’s Leadership Academy will empower you to take your sporting career goals to the next level.
About Us
The URC Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), supported by CVC, brings together aspiring female applicants from around the world with leading women in the sport industry for a series of workshops and the creation of a network of like-minded women.
A total of 50 women between the ages of 18 and 26 are selected from countries around the world to take part in a series of high-level interactive workshops led by internationally-acclaimed women in the sports industry.
Expert speakers are drawn from the talented women within the URC itself, as well as others working in other sports disciplines. The workshops cover a wide range of areas in the sports industry, including marketing, PR, broadcasting, sponsorship, social media, CSI/social purpose, and event operations. Each workshop also offers time for a Q&A session with the speaker.
We will once again be welcoming 50 women globally to join the fifth cohort of the URCxWLA in 2027.
APPLICATIONS
Entries are open from 5 November 2026 to 30 November 2026
All participants will take part in a virtual graduation ceremony at the end of the programme, and ONE lucky individual will also be selected as our MVP (Most Valuable Player). The MVP will be offered work experience at the URC Grand Final in June 2027 and a short internship programme in the sports sector.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this programme, you must:
- Identify as a woman
- Be aged 18-26
- Access to a computer/laptop/tablet & a stable internet connection
- Be interested in sport and considering a career in the sports sector
- Have a high level of spoken English
There is no cost to join the programme. There is also no cost to receive all the materials or to graduate.
COMMITMENT
- You will be required to attend a maximum of 12 sessions. This includes an induction, speaker-led workshops, practical sessions, and a graduation
- Sessions will run for a maximum of 2 hours
- Sessions will be booked as close as possible to 18.00 UK/IRE
- All sessions will be held virtually over Zoom
- All participants will need to take part in a final presentation assessment at the end of the course in order to graduate
KEY DATES
Please note: dates allocated for speaker-led workshops may be amended to align with the availability of the speakers. The dates outlined are only a guideline. Dates will be confirmed with the final group of WLA delegates directly.
- Thursday 5 November: WLA 2027 Applications Open
- Monday 30 November 23:59: Applications Close
- By Tuesday 8 December 2026: Candidates notified re application
- Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January 2027: Onboarding / Induction
- Wednesday 3 February 2027: Opening Speaker-led Workshop (Session 1)
- Weekly, sometimes twice-weekly Speaker-led Workshops throughout February, March and early April. We do attempt to book Speakers for a Wednesday evening (18h00-20h00 UK/IRE), but final dates and times will depend on Speaker availability.
- Week of 11 April: Final Workshop (final date TBC)
- Sunday 18 April: Final Assessments due from delegates
- Wednesday 28 April: Graduation, MVP Announcement and Guest Speaker
A world-class line-up of leaders
This year’s Academy will once again feature a world-class line-up of speakers and mentors — leading women from across global sport, business, and media who are volunteering their time to empower the next generation.
This year’s confirmed Speakers to date include:
- Alicia Sedgwick – Communication Expert (France / UK)
- Ann Austin – VP Community Development & Charitable Programs, Women’s Tennis Association (USA)
- Deirdre O’Sullivan – Head of Operations & Regional Competitions, World Rugby (Ireland)
- Elma Smit – Account Director and Presenter, Whisper / Lions Productions and The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby (UK / South Africa)
- Hollie Davidson – Scottish Rugby Union Match Official (UK)
- Matthew Thoma – Senior Digital Channels Manager, United Rugby Championship (UK)
- Michaella Snoeck – Chief Media Officer, Formula E (UK / South Africa)
- Michelle Wilson – Former Co-President, WWE and CVC Global Sport Group Advisor (USA)
- Motshidisi Mohono – Presenter, SuperSport (South Africa)
- Sophie Colville – Freelance Event Manager (UK)
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this programme or have any accessibility requirements which you would like to discuss with us, please contact [email protected]
