Page 8 - RFU Annual Report 2015/2016

Chief Executive Officer
06

Ian Ritchie
Chief Executive Officer

This was the year that we had all The QBE Coaching Club was
been waiting and planning for. An already hitting the 2,015 for 2015
historic season kicked off with the target – new coaches positively
RFU helping rugby clubs and all in impacting 50,000 players
the game to get ready to welcome countrywide. And Festival of
the world and take full advantage Rugby was heading for a million
of a home Rugby World Cup. participants in rugby-themed
activities up and down the country.
There was a huge
determination to And the RFU is indeed grateful The RFU’s Spirit of Rugby legacy
ensure a real and for the efforts of all in creating a project was launched for 16 to
significant and, we believe, a real
24 year olds, supported by Spirit
lasting legacy from and lasting legacy from the world of 2012, and a postcode Rugby
this once-in-a- tournament. Finder provided information on
lifetime opportunity discovering the nearest places
and to host the best possible Rugby has the ability to bring to play.
world tournament in terms of both people together, to change lives
national and global engagement, for the better and to inspire those At the same time, 48 Unions
and financial success. involved, whether fans, players or from across Europe
the many volunteers helping to
Three years’ planning and hard run the game. From the grassroots were at Twickenham
work saw rugby reaching out to the professional game, the for the Rugby
to the wider community, to new sport has gained Europe General
audiences, and underlined the fact a great deal from Assembly, delegates
that rugby is a sport for all. We England hosting the agreeing a new competition
launched our Lead Up & Legacy structure, the culmination of the
Strategy in October 2012, giving us most successful Competition Review Committee
time to plan, prepare and invest in Rugby World Cup work, led by Rob Udwin, one of our
achieving a real inheritance from ever and we will two Rugby Europe representatives.
Rugby World Cup 2015 for the endeavour to ensure
entire sport. this lasts long into Amid huge excitement, clubs
Seven priority areas formed the the future. were dressed to impress, facilities
upgraded and Young Rugby
pillars on which to build our Ambassadors were encouraging
investment of effort and resources. The final countdown started on everyone to get involved.
June 10 as the Webb Ellis Cup
All aimed to inspire arrived at Twickenham Stadium to Ian Ritchie
new people to get start its 100 day journey around the Chief Executive Officer
UK. The international trophy tour
involved in rugby, had been followed by the Webb
those who had Ellis Cup’s 25-day trip around
left to return, and Scotland, Ireland and Wales, before Stephen Brown
everyone involved its 75-day tour of England began. Chief Financial Officer
to enjoy the best There was Steve Grainger MBE
possible experience Rugby Development Director
of the sport in tremendous
a modernised excitement as Richard Knight
Stadium Director
environment. the trophy visited Joanna Manning-Cooper
schools, clubs,
The nation’s massive interest in festivals and Digital, Marketing and
our hosting of Rugby World Cup landmarks, as well Communications Director
2015 was both inspiration and as each of the 42
motivation for clubs, Constituent team bases, 28 RFU Simon Massie-Taylor
Bodies and Regional Activation Constituent Bodies, Chief Commercial Officer
and Legacy Groups right across Nigel Melville
the country. 13 match venues and Professional Rugby Director
11 host cities.

Annual Report 2015/16