DEFENDERS OF TOMORROW
Positive changes today, for a better tomorrow.
TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES
Defender searched for 96 exceptional young heroes from around the world, to join the teams as they walked out onto the pitch at Rugby World Cup France 2023.
For the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, Defender has found 56 new young heroes, all blazing a trail and taking the stage alongside the teams at the tournament across England.
Demonstrating what it means to have inner steel, here are some of the journeys that took them to the tournament in France.
VIDYUT
Vidyut’s close friend, Sophie, was born with spinal muscular atrophy and relies on a wheelchair to be mobile. When her chair no longer met her needs, Vidyut embarked on an extraordinary mission, running 22 miles (36 km) over 6 weeks to help fund a new wheelchair.
HUGO
Hugo’s cousin has autism. Hugo strives to speak out for people with autism and to raise awareness, protecting his cousin and encouraging him to not feel held back and embrace every opportunity he can.
CAMILLA
During her rugby season, Camilla ran an incredible 288 miles (464 km) to raise awareness for mental health in association with Looseheadz, a clothing brand that is trying to tackle the stigma of mental health in the sport. She also tries to play her part for the environment, litter picking around her local area.
MICHAEL
Michael’s dad was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Throughout the illness, he has helped to care for his dad, assisting with his equipment and bringing him tea and biscuits.
JULES
After losing an eye to cancer at the age of three, Jules was almost unable to continue playing rugby. Inspired by French rugby union player Florian Cazenave, who continued playing professionally after losing an eye to injury, Jules remains determined to continue playing the sport he loves so much.
LILIAN
Meet Lilian – an environmental champion. Through his efforts, the village of Villesequelande, in France, became the first and only ‘Tree Village’ in the world, offering a tree to each house and families welcoming new babies, with even more planted around the school and streets.
MYRIAM
Myriam is passionate about rugby and its values. As part of the Surfrider Foundation Europe, she spends her time collecting plastic waste on beaches. She also takes part in races to raise money for cancer research.
TOM
A true Defender of Tomorrow, Tom saved his little brother from leukaemia by donating bone marrow. He had to stop playing rugby for a year, one of the many sacrifices he had to make during a trying and difficult time for him and his family.
CHRISTOPHER
Christopher is captain of his house at school and recognises that leadership is about inclusion, standing against bullying and inequality. He loves to play rugby with everyone, irrespective of their ability.
ABNER
Rugby has made Abner strong and confident. He cleans around his community to make sure his friends have a safe environment to play in. Abner refuses to be a bystander, using his inner strength to stand up for others.
ITSUKI
Itsuki is fighting for a better tomorrow. His ambition is to become a biologist, so he can investigate the ecology of living things and invent solutions to environmental problems such as plastic waste.
