Rugby participation in England up by 26,000

Posted on Jun 22, 2012 in RFU

The number of people playing rugby union in England grew by 26,000 in the year to April 2012 according to figures released today.

Sport England’s Active People Survey (APS) records that participation increased in each of the last four quarters from 170,300 to 196,300 and that the Rugby Football Union is on track to meet growth targets.

Over the past year there were important gains in the 20-24 (+1.4% to 53,300) and 25-29 age groups (+0.98% to 36,000) as well as in the 16+ education sector (+1.78% to 99,500). The APS report notes that “the 15-a-side game has driven the recent increases”.

The encouraging growth follows a decline in rugby union participation in the two years to April 2011.

But the survey, which measures the number of people over 16 participating in rugby union at least once a week, highlighted the need for attention to be focused on declining participation 18-19 age group.

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: “The figures from the survey are encouraging and show that the focused effort we’ve put on supporting our clubs and growing the game around them over the last 12 months is paying dividends.

(more…)

Rugby Football Union Signs Four Year Partnership with Canterbury

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in England, England Saxons, England Students, England U20, England Women, English Rugby, RFU

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) today announced a long term partnership with Canterbury, the world’s leading rugby brand, to become their official kit partner.

The four year agreement will see Canterbury supplying kit to the England Senior, Saxons, Sevens, Women’s and age grade representative teams from September 2012 to beyond the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

The partnership brings together two brands with great rugby heritage and tradition, in addition to an unrivalled passion for the sport and its fans. For the RFU it also represents the largest kit partnership in the Union’s history, allowing continued investment into all levels of the game which is at the heart of the strategic focus for both organisations.

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted about this new partnership with Canterbury. The brand is recognised by players and fans alike and its heritage in rugby is unrivalled. The excellent quality of playing apparel Canterbury is famed for will also ensure the England teams have the best technical kit available to assist them on and off the pitch. This new exciting partnership will allow the Rugby Football Union to further invest in the game.”

Chris Stephenson, CEO of Canterbury, said: “The partnership with the Rugby Football Union is the perfect combination of two brands steeped in rugby history that rugby fans know and respect. We are excited at the prospect of developing this relationship and enhancing the awareness of rugby to a wider audience with the aim of increasing participation levels.

"With over a century of experience in producing the highest quality playing apparel, designed specifically to maximise performance, we pride ourselves on producing the strongest, most technologically advanced kits available.”