Dublin, Nov 19, 2015: With Rugby World Cup 2015 having reached and inspired new audiences in record levels, World Rugby has announced that more than one million children have been introduced to the game this year through the mass-participation programme, Get Into Rugby.
The new participants were spread across no fewer than 1,750 locations in 126 unions, with more than 17,000 trained personnel delivering the various rugby activities in all six regional associations. Importantly, 37 per cent of the new participants are female, demonstrating rugby’s commitment to grow the game for both genders.
Get Into Rugby has experienced enormous success since its inception in 2013, easily surpassing the projected total of one million by Rio 2016. The three-stage Try-Play-Stay programme plots the path of young people from beginners to regular participants at adult levels. Overall, this has helped to grow rugby’s global participation rate to more than seven million people.
Get Into Rugby also promotes rugby’s values of respect, discipline, passion, integrity and solidarity while ensuring children experience the game in a safe, enjoyable and progressive way.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “In this, the year of rugby, our sport is reaching and inspiring new participants and audiences in record numbers. Nowhere is this more keenly felt than in our own Get Into Rugby programmes, run in partnership with regional associations and member unions across all six continents.
“Rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports in the world, especially among women and girls, and no doubt many of those new participants were inspired to take part due to the amazing feats of athleticism, skill and character shown by the 20 teams at Rugby World Cup 2015 during September and October.
“I have no doubt that in years to come, some of these new players, who were introduced to the game through Get Into Rugby will themselves take to that highest stage possible at a Rugby World Cup and inspire a whole new generation to follow. Developing and growing the game is such a vital part of what we do. Without that, there is no future.”
In addition, more than 400 events were organised during the tournament as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Impact Beyond legacy programme. For more details click HERE. —- worldrugby
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