World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has hailed Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 as a "special and ground-breaking" event as New Zealand lifted the coveted trophy after a pulsating final, bringing down the curtain on a tournament that broke records on and off the field.
Ireland 2017 was the best attended Women's Rugby World Cup to date
More so than any other edition, Ireland 2017 has captured the imagination beyond the sport's traditional reach. Viewership and social engagement records tumbled, new stars were born and, yet again, the performance bar was raised by the world's top players and teams.
The superb quality of the final matches also demonstrated the continued advances within the 15s game with World Rugby analysis showing that on average the ball was in play 10 per cent longer than men's matches.
Beaumont said: "This tournament will be remembered as a very special and ground-breaking rugby event. It raised the bar. Compelling action, huge fan interaction and a strong family feel characterised an event that captured hearts and minds beyond the traditional rugby community.
"The level of global coverage and excitement is testament to the performances of the world's top teams and reflects the surge in interest around the world. Off the field, our friends from the IRFU did an exceptional job at hosting the event, while the volunteers and fans were simply brilliant.
"But most of all, it is the teams who deserve the praise. There is no doubt that they have inspired a new generation of girls and boys to get into rugby and while only one team can be crowned champions, all the teams were fantastic on and off the field - rugby has certainly been the winner."
Irish Rugby Football Union President Philip Orr said: "Hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup has been a tremendous honour for Ireland and one which has been embraced enthusiastically by the Irish public.
"It has been tremendously rewarding for the IRFU to witness the level of co-operation North and South at Government level, from tourism authorities, state agencies, the volunteers and of course from World Rugby who have been so committed to making this a tournament like no other. Our heartfelt thanks go to all."
In November, the World Rugby Council will consider the 2017-25 women's rugby plan, an action plan to build a stronger, sustainable game from the bottom up and throughout a highly collaborative process, unions and players alike are welcoming the advances.
For more on the record breaking tournament visit www.rwcwomens.com
Ireland 2017 was the best attended Women's Rugby World Cup to date
- 2017 tournament raises the bar as women's sport takes centre stage
- New broadcast records set, with France and UK leading the way
- Record attendance for a Women's Rugby World Cup
- Record social and digital media engagement inspiring new rugby fans
- Ball in play time 10 per cent greater than the men's game
More so than any other edition, Ireland 2017 has captured the imagination beyond the sport's traditional reach. Viewership and social engagement records tumbled, new stars were born and, yet again, the performance bar was raised by the world's top players and teams.
The superb quality of the final matches also demonstrated the continued advances within the 15s game with World Rugby analysis showing that on average the ball was in play 10 per cent longer than men's matches.
Beaumont said: "This tournament will be remembered as a very special and ground-breaking rugby event. It raised the bar. Compelling action, huge fan interaction and a strong family feel characterised an event that captured hearts and minds beyond the traditional rugby community.
"The level of global coverage and excitement is testament to the performances of the world's top teams and reflects the surge in interest around the world. Off the field, our friends from the IRFU did an exceptional job at hosting the event, while the volunteers and fans were simply brilliant.
"But most of all, it is the teams who deserve the praise. There is no doubt that they have inspired a new generation of girls and boys to get into rugby and while only one team can be crowned champions, all the teams were fantastic on and off the field - rugby has certainly been the winner."
Thank you to @IrishRugby and the people of Ireland and Northern Ireland for warmly hosting the most spectacular #WomensRugbyWorldCup
— Brett Gosper (@brettgosper) August 27, 2017
What a final. What a fantastic tournament. Congratulations @BlackFerns and commiserations @EnglandRugby #WRWC2017 pic.twitter.com/BHuTpzuTX6
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 26, 2017
Great to see supporters from all over the world here at @KingspanStadium for #WRWC2017 pic.twitter.com/PqCv6b6Yst
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 26, 2017
Irish Rugby Football Union President Philip Orr said: "Hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup has been a tremendous honour for Ireland and one which has been embraced enthusiastically by the Irish public.
"It has been tremendously rewarding for the IRFU to witness the level of co-operation North and South at Government level, from tourism authorities, state agencies, the volunteers and of course from World Rugby who have been so committed to making this a tournament like no other. Our heartfelt thanks go to all."
In November, the World Rugby Council will consider the 2017-25 women's rugby plan, an action plan to build a stronger, sustainable game from the bottom up and throughout a highly collaborative process, unions and players alike are welcoming the advances.
For more on the record breaking tournament visit www.rwcwomens.com