Page 14 - RFU Annual Report 2015/2016

Chief Executive Officer
12

In terms of revenues, the numbers at a time Rugby World Cup, to ensure the
Rugby World Cup when participation squad is well prepared.
delivered beyond in sport has been
expectations as difficult to achieve,
it became the with some 190,000 playing rugby
most financially once a week.
successful World
Cup ever. The RFU is committed to
supporting the growth of women’s
rugby. We are immensely proud of
The tournament is estimated to England Women’s achievements
have supported nearly 34,000 and we want to provide the best
jobs and volunteer positions, and support to continue this success.
to have contributed just under
£2.3bn to the economy, the positive
economic and tourism benefits More women and
being felt across the country and, girls in this country
in particular, at the host cities. are playing rugby
than ever before
We are in a very and England Women
good place and are important
our total rugby role models to
investment was up encourage further
17% year on year to growth.
almost £90m, and grassroots
investment up £1.6m to £34.1m.
This is a really exciting time for
Our staging of the women’s rugby in England. We first
World Rugby U20 awarded contracts to 20 sevens
players in October 2014, and for
Championship in the 2016/17 season, as the squad
Manchester in June build towards their bid to retain the
saw us incorporating Women’s Rugby World Cup, 48
many lessons professional player
learned from contracts are being
hosting Rugby World awarded for the

Cup 2015, putting the England Women’s
players at the heart of the game as part of England
tournament and working closely Rugby’s on-going commitment to
with the local community. The the professionalisation of women’s
trophy tour, welcome ceremonies rugby. This will give us the best
and outreach programme engaged possible chance of retaining the
both the traditional rugby family World Cup in Ireland next August.
and those new to the game, and
helped to inspire boys and girls Following the Olympic Games, 18
across the region. Our Try for women have been awarded full-
Change programme, which aims time contracts with a focus on the
to grow rugby as a tool for social 15-a-side game. Additional players
change, achieved valuable outreach are being handed part-time, three-
work surrounding the tournament. day-a-week contracts with a sevens
focus. Further contracts have been
Not only could we celebrate a awarded on a short-term basis,
glorious end to our England allowing players to come into
Rugby season, but also a residential camps ahead of major
period of healthy tournaments, including the
growth in playing Six Nations and the Women’s

Annual Report 2015/16