More than a quarter of a million young people have been introduced to rugby union over the past year, marking a major boost for the grassroots game and signalling strong future growth.
The surge spans state schools, colleges, and youth organisations including Scouts and Guides, and comes in a landmark year for the sport, capped by the Red Roses lifting the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Allianz Stadium.
This growth reflects a coordinated effort across the game – powered by tens of thousands of volunteers, supported by clubs, schools, and partner organisations – to open up rugby to new and more diverse audiences.
Major investment driving long-term growth
The RFU has committed £120 million over four years to 2030 to strengthen the community game, with a clear focus on:
- Bringing more young people into rugby
- Keeping players in the sport for longer
- Supporting the clubs and volunteers at its heart
Steve Grainger, RFU Executive Director for the Community Game, said: “This is about securing the future of rugby. We want more young people coming into the game and staying in it and making sure rugby reflects the communities it serves.”
The RFU is already making progress towards its target of 50,000 additional players by 2030, with almost 300,000 players now active in clubs nationwide.
Opening up rugby to a new generation
A standout success has been the rapid expansion of rugby in state education and youth groups, driven by T1 Rugby, a non-contact, inclusive format designed to make the game accessible to all.
The numbers include:
- More than 186,000 young people introduced to rugby in schools and colleges this year
- Around 1,100 schools introduced T1 Rugby this year (building on 1,800 the previous year)
- 60 School Rugby Managers now in place, rising to 100 in the next two years
- More than 1,000 primary schools equipped through the Allianz Kick Start programme
The RFU has also extended its reach beyond schools with 66,000 young people engaged through Scouts and Guides, where nearly half of participants are girls and over 250 clubs are now formally linked with local Scout and Guide groups.
Together, these initiatives are creating a clear pathway from first experience to club rugby, helping convert interest into long-term participation.
Women’s and girls’ rugby accelerating
The women’s game is also experiencing record growth, fueled by sustained investment and the impact of the Rugby World Cup:
The numbers include:
- 49% growth in age-grade girls’ registrations over four years
- 76% of clubs report rising girls’ participation
- 40% of clubs report growth in adult women’s rugby following the World Cup
- Over 2,100 women’s RFU league matches played this season, the highest ever
Programmes such as Girls Activity Days are also helping attract new players by combining rugby with social and community experiences in a welcoming environment.
Off the pitch, the RFU is investing in the quality and consistency of coaching, particularly in the critical 14–18 age group where dropout risk is highest.
- 90 clubs engaged in the 14-18 coach development programme
- 300 coaches of these groups supported through mentoring and training
- Evidence of improved player enjoyment, skills, and retention
This focus is helping ensure that more young players stay in the game.
Recognising the importance of visibility as well as participation, the RFU recently launched a dedicated @CommunityRugby Instagram channel to showcase stories from across the country.
Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU said: “On behalf of everyone at England Rugby I want to say thank you to the tens of thousands of volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment week in, week out, to keep community rugby thriving across the country.
“It’s important that we continue to grow the community game for the future. With sustained investment, strong partnerships, and record engagement, the foundations are being laid for a bigger, more inclusive, and more resilient game in the years ahead.”
With thanks to the RFU
