IRB Chairman Hails Another Record-Breaking Season for Rugby Sevens

Posted on May 16, 2012 in IRB, Sevens

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset has hailed the global success of another record-breaking HSBC Sevens World Series.

Once again the Series as a whole set a new attendance record with just over 547,500 fans supporting the nine events played across five continents, outstripping the previous best of 500,100.

As well as expanding to nine events with the addition of Japan, there were four new venues in total on the 2011/12 Series, all of which proved an instant hit with supporters.

Australia’s move to the Gold Coast was well supported at the start of the season; Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium provided a cauldron of atmosphere in South Africa; Scotland’s switch from Edinburgh to Glasgow attracted new fans to the game and a return to Tokyo was significant for Asian Rugby as Japan prepares to host Rugby World Cup 2019.

At three of the nine venues spectators were also treated to top women’s action, with the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup underscoring the global and competitive nature of the Women’s Game, acting as a pre-cursor to a new IRB Women’s Sevens Series, to be announced in due course.

"This has been a magnificent season of achievement for Rugby Sevens both on and off the field," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

"The action has been more competitive than ever before in the HSBC Sevens World Series, with five different Cup winners and no fewer than thirteen teams reaching the Cup quarter finals, including the likes of Spain, Canada, Tonga and Kenya, while our Women’s and Regional events are going from strength to strength."

"In the stands and around the venues the carnival atmosphere of a Sevens tournament continues to provide a unique appeal to Rugby fans all around the world. Together these factors combine to make the sport an incredibly enticing prospect as we move ever closer to Sevens’ Olympic Games debut in 2016."

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RFU Podcast: Lancaster, Vickerman, Maddocks, Tietjens, Robshaw, Farrell

Posted on May 11, 2012 in English Rugby, RFU Podcast

This week’s RFU Podcast comes from Loughborough where England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has announced an exciting 42-man squad heading for South Africa this summer.

There are 13 uncapped players in the group with Danny Care and James Haskell both returning to the fold for next month’s tour which includes three Tests and two midweek games.

Twickenham is about to host another record-breaking 100,000-plus crowd at this weekend’s Marriott London Sevens.

England Sevens captain Rob Vickerman is looking forward to coming home after eight overseas legs in the HSBC Sevens World Series but series leaders New Zealand – coached by Gordon Tietjens – will want to claim another title.

We hear from England’s newly-appointed Women’s Sevens coach Barry Maddocks, whose side want to build on a tournament win in Hong Kong on their last outing.

The Aviva Premiership is moving into its knockout stages and we were at the annual awards night this week to speak to Harlequins and England captain Chris Robshaw – named the Premiership’s Player of the Season – and Land Rover Discovery of the Season, Saracens and England fly half Owen Farrell.

And we also caught up with Dr Mark Brosnan, the scientist tasked with analysing which club has the most passionate fans.

London Sevens to host IRB sanctioned Women’s International Sevens tournament

Posted on Feb 29, 2012 in England Women, English Rugby, Sevens, Women's Rugby

The Rugby Football Union will host one of three IRB sanctioned Women’s International Sevens tournament this season at Twickenham Stadium on May 12-13th, 2012.

As part of the hugely popular London Sevens weekend Twickenham Stadium will now also open its doors to some of the world’s finest female rugby talent as the HSBC Sevens World Series comes to a close.

As part of the IRB’s on-going commitment to develop international women’s Sevens ahead of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, London and Hong Kong are the latest events to be added to the IRB international sevens programme. Dubai hosted the inaugural Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup in December and Hong Kong will host the second event on March 23-24th.

12 of the best international women’s sevens team will compete over the two-day tournament for the Women’s Challenge Cup, including hosts England, who recently reached the final of the Women’s Challenge Cup in Dubai beating world champions Australia on their way to the final. The teams competing in London will be: England, Australia, Canada, USA, Netherlands, Russia, Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, France, South Africa and Portugal.

Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby Director, said: “The RFU is delighted to be hosting the IRB sanctioned international Women’s Sevens tournament as part of the London Sevens this year. Dubai held the first ever IRB Women’s Sevens event in December 2011 so for Twickenham Stadium to be added to that calendar is a prestigious honour.

“With Rugby Sevens making its debut in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games it is important we, and our other member unions, strive forward to develop the international programme for our women’s teams and this announcement represents a significant step on the road to Rio de Janeiro for these international teams.”

Last year’s Beach themed event at the London Sevens saw more than 100,000 fans head to Twickenham Stadium and the 2012 event promises to be even bigger. The party atmosphere generated by the fans is almost unrivalled in the Twickenham calendar and this year’s event takes up a 1970s theme.
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are looking forward to an exceptional international Women’s tournament in London in May which will run alongside the HSBC Sevens World Series. Last year’s event saw more than 100,000 fans head through the gates over the two days including a record breaking 54,612 crowd on the Saturday. The 2012 event promises to be even bigger and better especially with the London leg being the final event of the HSBC Sevens World Series.”

"These are exciting times for Women’s Rugby around the world," added IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. "Participation is growing while we continue to work with our member unions to ensure elite Women’s competition goes from strength to strength ahead of our debut in the Olympic Games 2016.

“These invitational IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup events are the first step on the road to delivering an annual IRB Women’s Sevens World Series along similar lines to the hugely successful men’s HSBC Sevens World Series. I am sure that London will be a resounding success and give fans in the stadium and around the world another opportunity to see just how competitive Women’s Rugby is."

Tickets are now available for the London Sevens weekend on 12th & 13th May 2012 and for the month of March Weekend Tickets are available from just £20. After that, weekend passes start from £30, single day tickets from £18 and kids tickets at £5 each day.  Visit www.rfu.com/tickets or call 0844 847 2492.  (Tickets are subject to availability and booking fees apply).

RFU announces partnership with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

Posted on Jan 17, 2012 in England, English Rugby, RFU

The Rugby Football Union has today unveiled details of an exciting new partnership with one of the world’s leading consumer healthcare companies, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSK). The deal will run to 2016 and sees leading brands Lucozade Sport and Maximuscle, part of the Maxinutrition portfolio, partner with the Elite England Rugby Squads as Official Hydration and Sports Nutrition partners respectively. The deal represents the first collaboration between the two companies  since the GSK acquisition of Maxinutrition in February 2011.

The UK’s number one sports drink and nutrition brands will fuel England Rugby, becoming official partners to the Senior, Saxons, Sevens and Women’s squads. Both Lucozade Sport and Maximuscle have an excellent reputation in research and development and as part of this strategic partnership the RFU will utilise their expertise to further develop world-class hydration and nutrition strategies, aiding performance optimisation, endurance and recovery.

Alongside elite rugby, the two brands are committed to supporting adult rugby outside of the professional game and will bring their enthusiasm and expertise to players and clubs throughout the country.

Peter Harding, General Manager of GSK Consumer Healthcare Great Britain and Ireland, commented,“We are delighted to announce the beginning of an exciting partnership with the RFU in what is a promising time for not only the senior England team but English rugby as a whole. GSK are positive that our significant experience in delivering outstanding sports nutrition will help the team maximise its potential, starting with the RBS 6 Nations.”

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are excited about our new strategic partnership with GSK’s Consumer Healthcare business.  Lucozade Sport and Maximuscle are leaders in their field and are highly respected within the industry.  This partnership will benefit all levels of the RFU’s elite game, providing products and tailored nutritional expertise to England’s Senior, Saxons, Sevens and Women’s squads – this reinforces our commitment to excellence across all levels.”

England Head Coach, Stuart Lancaster added,” Keeping our players in the best possible health and physical condition is paramount to the team’s success and we are sure that our partnership with Lucozade Sport and Maximuscle can only further help our strength and conditioning team in achieving this. The margins in elite sport are narrowing, so we are looking to this partnership to help us find edges in human performance via hydration and nutrition practices.”

Exciting new era for Black Ferns

Posted on Aug 2, 2011 in NZ, Women's Rugby

New Zealand’s world champion Black Ferns will have a guaranteed annual programme for the next three years to bolster their formidable playing record and already strong international reputation.

The multi-year programme agreed between the RFU (England) and NZRU will guarantee the Black Ferns play a total nine Test matches against England over the next three years.

The new era commences in November 2011 with the Black Ferns travelling to England for a three-Test series against last year’s Women’s RWC runners-up.  England hosts the Black Ferns again for a three Test series in 2012, before New Zealand hosts England in 2013 for three matches including Tests against the Black Ferns.

With RWC Black Ferns Coach Brian Evans taking a break from coaching this year, the NZRU today also announced the appointment of Assistant Coach Grant Hansen as the Black Ferns Head Coach this year, with Otago Women’s NPC coach John Kyle being appointed as his Assistant Coach.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the three year-programme and coaching team provided certainty for the Black Ferns heading into the 2014 Women’s RWC in France where they will be seeking to achieve an astonishing fifth consecutive title.

“This is a huge step forward for us and the Black Ferns.  We have been working for a number of years to find meaningful opportunities and opponents for the Black Ferns and we are grateful to the RFU for making this possible,” Sorensen said.

“To know that we are going to see the world’s two top women’s rugby teams in action for nine internationals over the next three years is really exciting.  It will be hugely beneficial for both teams as they prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup,” he said.

Mr Sorensen said following the re-launch of the Women’s NPC in 2011, the confirmation of the Black Ferns programme creates certainty for New Zealand’s aspiring and recognised international players; a pathway for coaches and the NZRU to prepare the team for the next World Cup; and a base on which to build the women’s game and fan base with a view to participation in the 2016 Olympic Games Sevens tournament.

“We have not only achieved a regular programme against quality opposition but we have also been able to create a fantastic touring opportunity for these teams funded in large part by the RFU which demonstrates the respect that is held for our world champions.”

Head Coach Grant Hansen said he was thrilled with the prospect of a three year schedule of Test matches against traditional arch rivals England.

“We’re incredibly proud to have taken out the Women’s RWC in four consecutive tournaments and a three-year programme definitely strengthens the planning for our next RWC campaign.

“We have some very strong and talented women out there and the unavailability of some of our 2010 Black Ferns means there will be an opportunity for new players to put themselves into the frame for selection.  These international fixtures always provide an added incentive for them to excel in their sport.

“It’s great to have John Kyle with us this year – he is a familiar face to many of the players. John has shown great loyalty to the women’s game, having been Otago Women’s Assistant Coach in 2006, then moving into the Head Coach role until this year, and he’ll be a huge asset to our campaign this year,” Hansen said.

Rosie Williams, Managing Director of the Rugby Football Union for Women, said: “We are really excited about this announcement. It is the first time that we have had a three year commitment to play New Zealand and this will do wonders from both a playing and profile perspective.

“This agreement is the icing on the cake for us. We now have regular tests against the current World Champions, as well against the USA and Canada in the Nations Cup, and of course Europe’s best in the Women’s RBS 6 Nations.”

Black Ferns 2011 – 2013 programme:

2011:              Black Ferns Travel to England for three Tests on 26 and 29 November, and 3 December

2012:              Black Ferns Travel to England for three Tests

2013:              England travels to New Zealand for three Tests