Rugby Participation Surges by 11% to 8.4 Million in 2023, Marking a Post-Pandemic Revival
Rugby participation has surged by an impressive 11 percent, reaching 8.4 million players in 2023. This remarkable growth is a testament to the sport’s resilience and its ability to rebound strongly after the global pandemic.
Shifting Demographics: A Game for Everyone
Post-COVID-19, a significant 57 percent of rugby players are pre-teens, with a noteworthy 24 percent of them being girls. This surge in youth participation is complemented by a deliberate strategy to promote female involvement, with almost a quarter of all participants being female.
Safety and Innovation: Lowered Tackle Height
World Rugby, in partnership with national member unions, has introduced a pivotal safety measure by lowering the tackle height in community games. This not only enhances player safety but also encourages greater participation. World Rugby’s commitment to the sport’s development is further underscored by a substantial £575 million investment between 2020 and 2023.
Global Growth and Emerging Nations
Rugby’s resurgence is not limited to established nations; it’s a global phenomenon. The number of rugby clubs worldwide has increased by an impressive 30 percent, with emerging nations such as Belgium, Spain, Singapore, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia experiencing robust growth. This expansion highlights rugby’s status as a truly universal sport.
Inspired by Record-Breaking Events
These encouraging figures follow the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021 (played in 2022) and the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup in France. Both events have significantly bolstered global interest and enthusiasm for rugby.
Overcoming Challenges: A Resilient Comeback
The resurgence in rugby participation is a testament to the sport’s resilience during the global pandemic. World Rugby worked tirelessly with member unions to facilitate a safe return to play, including implementing Covid law variations, Game on Global Community Law Variations, and lowered tackle height recommendations. Additionally, World Rugby collaborated with unions to enhance the accuracy of player data.
A Prominent Driver: Get Into Rugby (GIR)
During the pandemic, a notable decline in participation was attributed to the inability to host casual rugby in schools and introductory Get Into Rugby (GIR) programs in many nations. GIR, which typically engages up to two million participants annually, made a strong comeback after a period of cessation during COVID-19.
Investing in the Future
World Rugby’s substantial investment of £575 million between 2020 and 2023 reflects its unwavering commitment to the sport’s development. This investment extends to supporting unions and regions in growing the sport worldwide, including the provision of a broader range of services to facilitate global expansion.
A Visionary Future
Sir Bill Beaumont, Chairman of World Rugby, expressed his excitement for rugby’s future, stating, “There truly is a form of the game for all – non-contact, contact, sevens, fifteens – and I am excited to see girls and boys, men and women return to the sport in their millions or taking it up for the first time ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023 in France that will inspire a new generation to play and support the game.”
Jason Lewis, World Rugby’s Participation Director, highlighted the sport’s appeal to young players, saying, “Encouragingly, the return to rugby in the 15s game in 2023 was driven by pre-teens with 57 percent of all players around the globe being pre-teen, 24 percent of them girls, demonstrating a deep connection between the attractiveness of the sport and the next generation of adult community players.”
Fostering Accessibility and Relevance
The challenge for all sports is player retention in today’s competitive entertainment landscape. World Rugby’s renewed Participation Plan, launched in 2021 in collaboration with unions and regions, aims to make rugby as accessible and relevant as possible for young people with limited time. It focuses on supporting unions to develop their capacity and capability, with initiatives like the ‘Game On Global’ community law variations promoting the sport’s accessibility and sustainability.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth
World Rugby’s participation plan is poised to establish the foundations for long-term, sustainable growth. It includes strategies to attract new participants while retaining existing players, with a strong commitment to ensuring the sport is safe, accessible, attractive, and enjoyable for all.
The plan acknowledges the global diversity in rugby and tailors its approach to support player retention in established nations while reaching out to new players in emerging nations.
