Participation grows globally as Sevens makes an impact
Source: Agencies |
April 6, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN, Sri Lanka and the United States all muscled traditional rugby heavyweights out of a list of top 10 nations for participation as the sport's popularity among players grew globally by almost 20 percent since the last World Cup, a report claimed yesterday.
While participation figures remain highest in stronghold Europe and Oceania, emerging nations are catching fast, figures show, with growth of 33 percent in Africa, 22 percent in South America and 18 percent in Asia.
"These are extremely exciting times for rugby with strong growth and participation worldwide," International Rugby Board (IRB) Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
"This report ... underlines that growth is not just continuing, but is accelerating and is as prominent in emerging rugby markets as traditional rugby countries."
Participation in China grew 13 percent since 2009, according to the report, but is still a miniscule 5,430 registered players from a population of 1.3 billion.
The growth is being driven by three factors, the study - commissioned by World Cup sponsor Mastercard and conducted by the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University - said.
The factors are rugby sevens' Olympic inclusion from 2016; IRB programs and investment; and event hosting with linked legacy programs.
Japan was rated the top Asian market, ranked fifth worldwide with 122,598 registered players.
The study found that Asia's interest had been boosted by Japan securing hosting rights for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and by rugby sevens' status as an Olympic sport from 2016.
The latter is expected to have a huge impact on development across the region.
While rugby is still regarded a niche sport in the United States, it showed a 350 percent participation increase since 2004, the report said.
Growing interest is reflected by broadcast deals concluded for rugby sevens and Rugby World Cup 2011 and 2015, marking the first time the sport will be shown live on US network television.
While participation figures remain highest in stronghold Europe and Oceania, emerging nations are catching fast, figures show, with growth of 33 percent in Africa, 22 percent in South America and 18 percent in Asia.
"These are extremely exciting times for rugby with strong growth and participation worldwide," International Rugby Board (IRB) Chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
"This report ... underlines that growth is not just continuing, but is accelerating and is as prominent in emerging rugby markets as traditional rugby countries."
Participation in China grew 13 percent since 2009, according to the report, but is still a miniscule 5,430 registered players from a population of 1.3 billion.
The growth is being driven by three factors, the study - commissioned by World Cup sponsor Mastercard and conducted by the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University - said.
The factors are rugby sevens' Olympic inclusion from 2016; IRB programs and investment; and event hosting with linked legacy programs.
Japan was rated the top Asian market, ranked fifth worldwide with 122,598 registered players.
The study found that Asia's interest had been boosted by Japan securing hosting rights for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and by rugby sevens' status as an Olympic sport from 2016.
The latter is expected to have a huge impact on development across the region.
While rugby is still regarded a niche sport in the United States, it showed a 350 percent participation increase since 2004, the report said.
Growing interest is reflected by broadcast deals concluded for rugby sevens and Rugby World Cup 2011 and 2015, marking the first time the sport will be shown live on US network television.
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