Barbie Launches New Clothing Line Featuring England’s Red Roses

## Barbie’s Groundbreaking Partnership with England’s Red Roses

Barbie has launched its first partnership with a UK sports team, collaborating with the England Rugby women’s team, known as the Red Roses. This initiative aims to encourage young girls to engage in rugby through various grassroots programs, funding, merchandise, and inspirational storytelling.

## The Need for Representation in Sports

Recent research by Barbie and the Red Roses highlights a concerning trend: one-third of girls stop participating in sports by age 14. This decline often stems from issues related to body image, self-doubt, and a scarcity of visible female role models in athletics. Addressing this issue, Barbie and the Red Roses are committed to sharing stories that promote overcoming challenges and celebrating unique passions to motivate girls throughout the UK and beyond.

### Funding and Support for Female Rugby Players

As part of this initiative, Barbie will contribute £20,000 to the Rugby Football Union (RFU). This funding will help improve access to rugby clubs and coaching, alongside supporting the RFU’s Girls’ Activity Days. These events are designed to attract more girls to rugby through a variety of activities available at local clubs.

## Empowering Apparel Range

Additionally, Barbie has teamed up with the Red Roses to create a licensed apparel collection produced by sportswear brand Castore. This collection features motivational slogans and stylish designs tailored for rugby fans. The lineup includes T-shirts and hoodies in sizes ranging from Junior XS to Adult 4XL, starting at £25. A special Barbie x Red Roses Gilbert rugby ball is also set to launch in October.

### Statement from RFU Executive Director

Alex Teasdale, RFU’s Executive Director for the Women’s Game, emphasized the importance of visibility in rugby: “We know how important the visibility of rugby is in attracting girls and boys to our sport and it’s been a core part of our strategy for the women’s and girls’ game for many years. We wanted to collaborate with Barbie to introduce the game to new audiences and champion female voices in the sport.”