Rugby participation

Friday, September 1st saw a publication from World Rugby (www.world.rugby) citing a rapid expansion in participation rates in the sport of rugby around the world since 2022.

According to their report, 8.46 million people now participate in the sport, an 11% increase on 2022 levels now across 132 national member unions.

Male and female active, registered players grew by 26% and 38% respectively; 57% of all players are pre-teen of which 24% are girls. The number of clubs has increased by over 30% globally with especially strong growth in emerging nations.

Influences on these growth numbers include a recovery in participation post-COVID, enthusiasm for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022) which smashed all previous attendance and viewership records; strong market awareness for this fall’s Men’s Rugby World Cup in France; and aggressive implementation of Covid-aware and Community law variations and lowered tackle-height recommendations.

World Rugby applauded the innovations coming into the game and thanked the huge groups of community rugby volunteers who help make this possible. Plans for long-term sustainable growth will continue to be developed, focusing on retention of existing platers as well as attracting new participants at all levels of the game.