The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is at a critical juncture, with experts warning that without significant reforms in school rugby, the sport risks becoming a “declining minority sport.” This decline could have detrimental effects on the national team, currently led by Steve Borthwick.
An independent review commissioned by the RFU highlights that “rugby is not winning” in the competitive landscape of school sports. Titled Changing the Game: The Future of Schools Rugby in England, the report points to shifting societal attitudes, increasing risk aversion, and concerns about head injuries as key factors contributing to a drop in participation. Additionally, the sport’s image as predominantly catering to “posh white boys” has further alienated potential players.
In response, the RFU has announced plans to introduce T1 Rugby, a non-contact variant of the game, over the next four years. The review also recommends the implementation of a third “reduced contact” format alongside traditional rugby, aiming to alleviate parental concerns about injuries and to encourage broader participation.
Sir Jon Coles, chief executive of United Learning and head of the review, stated, “In the schools ‘marketplace,’ rugby is not winning. It is losing out to other sports and cannot depend on the central cultural significance it holds in countries like Wales or New Zealand.” He emphasized the importance of rugby in schools for the future health of the sport, warning that without youth engagement, the community and professional levels of the game would weaken, leading to a reduced audience.
The report cautions against a strategy that relies solely on a handful of elite schools to feed into the professional game. This approach could alienate young players from diverse backgrounds and exacerbate the sport’s decline.
The review identifies two critical areas requiring urgent attention: first, to “defend the home turf” by taking bold actions to preserve rugby in its traditional strongholds, and second, to “attack new markets” for expansion.
“To succeed in both respects requires a careful balance,” the report notes. “However, both must be pursued vigorously. Failure to protect rugby in schools could lead to rapid shrinkage at the community level. Conversely, neglecting to reach new demographics would cast rugby as an elitist sport, further diminishing its appeal. Change is necessary, as the current approach is not sustainable.”
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