Thank you to all our volunteers – a message from our CEO

As another busy and exciting community rugby season comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say a sincere thank you for everything you have done to deliver the game.

The community game is the heartbeat of our sport. Every time I visit clubs across the country, I’m reminded that we all share the same ambition; to ensure rugby is in a strong, healthy position both now and for future generations.

It is, above all, the volunteers across the game who make that possible. The time, energy and commitment you give, week in, week out, is what keeps rugby thriving in every part of the country. You deserve enormous credit and thanks.

Listening to the game

Over the past season, I’ve had the privilege to go to over 30 clubs, CBs, festivals, school sessions and university events.

Those visits are always the highlight of my year. Hearing directly from you, your experiences, your challenges and your ideas, continue to shape our understanding of the game and where we need to focus.

I know this season has not been without its challenges. From pressures on adult male team numbers, to travel demands and disrupted fixtures due to the weather, I am hugely grateful for the way clubs have continued to adapt and keep the game going.

Growing the game

Looking ahead, one of our biggest priorities remains attracting more people to rugby and helping them stay in the game.

In Plan 2030: More Than A Game, we set out our ambition to increase club player registrations by 50,000 by 2030. With current registrations just below 300,000, we are making steady progress and that is down to the work happening in clubs across the country.

Encouragingly, we are also seeing more people introduced to rugby for the first time. This season, many thousands of young people have engaged with the game through schools, colleges, Scouts and Guides, building on the excitement of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Over 250 clubs are now working with local Scouts and Guides groups, and many are embracing new formats like T1 to make the game more accessible and appealing to new audiences.

Girls’ rugby continues to be one of the most exciting areas of growth. Over the past four years, the number of registered girls has increased by 49% to more than 26,000. It’s been fantastic to hear about the success of Love Rugby events and Girls’ Activity Days across the country.

Thank you

None of this progress happens without you.

Thank you again for everything you do to support your clubs, your communities, and our game. Your commitment continues to inspire, and it is what gives us confidence for the future of rugby.

I hope you have a well-earned break over the summer, and I look forward to seeing many of you again next season.

Bill Sweeney 
Chief Executive Officer 
RFU