From Rugby World Cup winners to grassroots juniors, Lions coaches to Six Nations commentators, the game has come together to celebrate the return of community rugby this week, in a joint campaign between the RFU, Scottish Rugby and WRU which is being supported by The National Lottery to encourage the return to community rugby clubs.
As part of the campaign, a short film features
Hundreds of clubs across England* will host ‘Pitch Up For Rugby’ events this and next weekend, joining a national celebration of all formats of rugby returning. When the season gets underway on 4 September, full contact 15 a-side rugby including scrums and mauls will be permitted in RFU league fixtures for the first time since the pandemic began 18 months ago.
Men’s and women’s 15-a-side teams will be out in force at Pitch Up events. There will also be Warrior Camps for women and girls, non-contact such as Tag and The Touch Union formerly known as O2 Touch, and modified contact rugby for new players and those coming back after a break. Barbecues, beer tents and music will help to provide some of the fun that players and families have been missing.
In a study commissioned by the England, Wales, and Scotland Rugby Unions with The National Lottery, to look at the role community rugby plays in the UK, 86% of people involved in the grassroots game stated that playing and being involved in their local team or club has a positive impact on their mental health.
40% admitted they would feel less involved in their local community if it wasn’t for their rugby club. One in four rugby players and volunteers (27%) stated the single biggest impact being part of community rugby has had is how it has helped them feel less isolated and part of their local area.
For 75% of club rugby players, not being able to properly participate in club rugby has been shown to have had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing, and therefore the chance to return to their club homes is a moment to celebrate.
Over half (58%) stated that what they missed the most was the team chats and camaraderie, and a further 38% said that they missed having rugby as an outlet for day-to-day stresses, exacerbated by the pandemic.
For a third of those connected to community rugby, their club or team is at the centre of their social life, with 51% saying that what they have missed the most about their club over the past 18 months is spending time with their teammates and club friends.
Rugby Football Union CEO Bill Sweeney said: “I’m delighted clubs across the country are able to get all formats of rugby back on the pitch and open their clubhouse doors once again.
“We know being part of a team is not just something players feel is important to their physical health but also their mental wellbeing and social life, so are excited to be able to show communities up and down the country just what their local rugby club has to offer as part of the Pitch Up for Rugby initiative. I hope people can make it down to support their nearest club’s weekend celebrations."
England Rugby internationals Ellis Genge and Jess Breach have also backed the RFU’s #PitchUpForRugby campaign to help clubs rebuild after the pandemic.
Leicester Tigers captain Genge, who started his career at Old Redcliffians in Bristol, said:
“I still keep in contact with quite a few people from my first community club, mainly my old coach Matt Clarke, who was my first grassroots coach and became an important family friend.
“I used to always remember finishing our junior games in the pouring rain, but then being able to go and have hot chips after in the clubhouse. Maybe that is why I turned into a prop!
“You wouldn’t get to the semi pro or professional game if you didn’t have the grassroots game. You work your way up. I wouldn’t have got involved in rugby altogether if it hadn’t been for the grassroots clubs. They’re vital.
“Playing at clubs like these, gives you real camaraderie with peers, and you develop friendships you can’t find anywhere else.
“This is one of rugby’s core values, so it will be great to see all forms of the game back.”
Harlequins wing Jess Breach added: “I gained so much from playing grassroots rugby at Chichester RFC when I was younger. It helped me not just on the pitch, but off the pitch in other aspects of life.
“I learnt how important it was to welcome anyone into your life, regardless of gender, religion, size. It really doesn’t matter, as the rugby community embraces all, and I think that is a really good tool to take with you through life.
“It is amazing that these clubs are finally able to fully return. It has been a really difficult time, but these clubs, who are so important to our game, know they have the support of everyone behind them.”
The easiest way for players to find their local rugby club or Pitch Up For Rugby event is via englandrugby.com/find-rugby#
Pitch Up for Rugby, England Rugby’s initiative to encourage a return to community rugby is supported by The National Lottery, which has provided funding to boost grassroots rugby union across England. Visit englandrugby.com to find out more
From Saturday 4 September the national competitive league structure in Scotland resumes, with more than 200 teams (men and women) set to participate across the Tennent’s Leagues during the 2021/22 season. Over the summer, Scottish Rugby launched their return to rugby campaign ‘Everyone’s Game’ to support clubs and referee societies open their doors to their local communities, with the aim of increasing participation across the board following the pandemic, showcasing that rugby is a game for everyone.
The start of the National League rugby in Wales will kick off from Sat 13th November, almost two months earlier than planned in the WRU’s Pathway to Participation following a review of the rugby and public health landscape. Following 17 months without organised, competitive rugby, and a 20 month absence of League rugby, the key aims for this transitional season are to help teams and coaches to continue to restart community rugby safely; welcome players, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters back to rugby clubs and support players to as they move to new age groups.
Visit www.wru.wales for further information
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