The News Agents Weekend Edition: Russian dolls, fax machines & legal threats - the making of the first Women's Rugby World Cup - The Sports Agents
Aug 29, 2025
Alice Cooper, a key figure in establishing the first Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991, shares her incredible journey of persistence. She recounts how she and her fellow pioneers faced financial challenges, selling Russian dolls and vodka to fund their efforts. Alice highlights the daunting logistics of organizing the tournament using fax machines and the sacrifices made, including her job loss. Her inspiring story illuminates the evolution of women's rugby and the groundwork laid for future generations in the sport.
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How The Tournament Began
- Alice Cooper and three teammates were tapped to organise the first Women's Rugby World Cup after a rugby fest sparked international interest.
- They relied on snail mail and fax to find teams and had no world rankings to guide invitations.
Pre-Internet Logistics
- Organisers had no internet, so contacting potential countries meant literal snail mail and many uncertain replies.
- There were no world rankings and only occasional internationals, so invitations were driven by who could and wanted to come.
Surprising Competitors
- Unexpected participants included Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Canada and New Zealand, while Australia did not play.
- The USA were far ahead organisationally because many players had been steered into rugby instead of American football.