Rugby Playing Numbers Jump 20%

[nickdnz]

Rugby is growing outside of its traditional strongholds, with reports stating that Africa, South America and Asia are leading the world with increased participation numbers.

Two of the massive factors for growth have been rugby’s inclusion via Sevens to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games programme, and the awarding of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to Japan.

Further to this has been massive funding from the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) rugby and infrastructure development projects, as well as specifically driven legacy type initiatives, with the New Zealand Rugby Union currently in the midst of such to ensure that the lasting legacy of hosting the 2011 tournament benefits the game at all levels.

Japan and Sri Lanka headlined the remarkable growth of participation, and even the United States â€" while only tenth on the list â€" boasted a 350 percent increase in numbers since 2004.

Japan is considered the next rugby stronghold, and heads the Asian market with 122,598 registered players.

China, the region’s largest power, grew by 13 percent since 2009, but its total number of registered players still is a tiny 5,340.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said this was further good news of rugby’s growth.

"These are extremely exciting times for rugby with strong growth and participation worldwide," he said.

"This report ... underlines that growth is not just continuing, but is accelerating and is as prominent in emerging rugby markets as traditional rugby countries."

Rugby playing nations by participation in 2010

England 2,549,196 #
South Africa 632,184
France 273,084
Ireland 153,080
New Zealand 137,835
Japan 122,598
Sri Lanka 103,325
Argentina 102,790
Australia 86,952
United States 81,678

# Note that England's playing numbers have not been ratified by the International Rugby Board.

To view the full report by the IRB, click here.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/15864/Rugby-growing-around-the-world-player-numbers-jump-by-20-percent

I was really suprised by Sri Lanka's increase. Scary to think that Australia has only 4 thousand more registered players than the USA.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

As if England has almost 2million more than the next highest - wouldn't have said that at all

 

[durbutter]

From what i can see there's a big culture of just going out on the pitch and giving it a lash in the UK and Ireland, i.e. Old Boys teams, playing 3rd or 4ths, more about participation and less about winning things.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

From what i can see there's a big culture of just going out on the pitch and giving it a lash in the UK and Ireland, i.e. Old Boys teams, playing 3rd or 4ths, more about participation and less about winning things.

good point, most clubs have 3/4 teams ncluding vets, but only 1/2 are really competitive


Sent from my MB200 using Tapatalk

 

[ranger]

I think it used to be like that in NZ, but the huge pacific islanders and their culture of trying to knock the opposition out has really caused the number of casual players to dwindle.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

From what i can see there's a big culture of just going out on the pitch and giving it a lash in the UK and Ireland, i.e. Old Boys teams, playing 3rd or 4ths, more about participation and less about winning things.

Yeah, you can add SA to that where a lot of the player numbers will just be guys playing for the hell of it after school.

 

[Donnie"TheDunesman"Lynch]

I think a lot of people in ireland, aswel, register at the start of the season but don't bother following through with it.

I've been on a lot of teams where the squad could be 40/50 at the start of the season and end up with 20/25.

 

[munstermuffin]

In fairness though at least those guys are interested in the sport.

Great to see the game growing and long may it continue id love to see competitive African teams etc.
Look at Kenya in 7s it a joy to watch

 

[durbutter]

I think a lot of people in ireland, aswel, register at the start of the season but don't bother following through with it.

I've been on a lot of teams where the squad could be 40/50 at the start of the season and end up with 20/25.

I think there are sevral reasons for this. Speaking from my experience;

1. GAA. Rural clubs loose massive numbers when the county championship starts.
2. Clannish. I find a lot of rugby clubs to be not that welcoming to new players. Very kinda clannish. Again maybe thats just rural clubs

 

[TVH11]

Really weird that Wales aren't up there, seeing as we consider rugby to be our national sport; saying that we have such a small population anyways. ah well

 

[lucky number 7]

I am playing mens thirds this saturday ...expecting it to be something along the lines of Junior B hurling

 

[durbutter]

I am playing mens thirds this saturday ...expecting it to be something along the lines of Junior B hurling

Its a game like rugby, but not quite.

 

[Seaton]

I assume Scotland is in the top 20 in terms of player numbers?

:mellow:

 

[profitius]

Ireland has more than NZ! lol

 

[FlukeArtist]

We in NZ have a lot of different grades, with Social Teams, Presidents (over 35 grade) and Open Age restricted Weight grades, as well as the usual teams.

Most clubs have a Premier team and a reserve team as their top two teams.
And each Union (ie: Auckland or Taranaki etc) has somewhere between 10-30 clubs.

 

[lucky number 7]

Its a game like rugby, but not quite.

Expecting to get smashed by a walking beer gut ..saying goodbye to my friends an family this evening.