European Rugby Nations come together in Unity Project

Alin Petrache, President Romanian Rugby Union (3rd from left) and Octavian Morariu, President FIRA-AER (4th from left) with representatives of UK Sport, the RFU, and Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire CBs at the launch of the Unity Project yesterday.

Called the “Unity Project”, this work forms part of the legacy plans being implemented by the RFU and falls under the wider work of the IRB’s RWC 2015 rugby legacy programme, 'IMPACT beyond 2015.'

The IRB and FIRA-AER selected the seventeen countries for the RFU and its Constituent Bodies (CBs) to work with over the next three years, with the project formally due to finish in June 2016.  In order to deliver the project, each of the countries taking part is twinned with two CBs, with non-geographical CBs lending support across the board.  The European nations and their allocated CBs will work together to devise and deliver development plans to support the growth of the game.  This support could come in the form of helping to train grounds staff and facilities managers, through to working on grassroots coach and player development pathways.

The launch event hosted by RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont was attended by representatives of the IRB, Rugby World Cup Ltd, FIRA-AER, UK Sport, the nations and CBs involved in the project, as well as stakeholders from other sporting bodies and government.

Talking about the RFU’s involvement, Bill Beaumont said: “We are honoured and excited to be working with these seventeen countries on such an interesting and exciting project.    “Through the Unity Project we hope to work with the countries to capitalise on opportunities presented by Rugby World Cup 2015 to build a lasting legacy for rugby across Europe.”

Commenting on their involvement in the project, IRB Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: "IMPACT Beyond 2015 is the most comprehensive and far reaching programme for a Rugby World Cup.   “We are excited to be collaborating with the RFU, FIRA-AER and UK Sport on the Unity Project, a programme that will drive significant playing, administration and development benefits for seventeen European Rugby Unions.    "Rugby World Cup is the financial engine for the global development of the Game and this project underscores our mission of welcoming and sustaining more men, women and children to play and support Rugby worldwide."

Octavian Morariu, FIRA-AER President said: “With interest in rugby constantly growing across Europe, the Unity Project will be highly instrumental in helping us to develop the game event more”.

Rod Carr, Chair of UK Sport, added: “UK Sport is proud to have helped deliver London 2012’s ‘Singapore Vision’ to use the Games to reach young people around the world and inspire them to choose sport.    “It is fantastic to be able to transfer the knowledge and experience gained from International Inspiration to support the delivery of the Unity Project, which will inspire increased community participation in rugby across Europe, building a lasting international legacy for another major sporting event taking place in the UK.”

Constituent Bodies are the administrative bodies which operate between the RFU and their member clubs.  They also offer significant develop support and guidance to the clubs.  There are 28 geographical CBs based on English counties and 7 non-geographical CBs, such as the Royal Navy and Students RFU.

The countries taking part in the Unity Project and their allocated Constituent Bodies are as follows:

Alongside Cambridge and Oxford Universities the other non-geographical CBs involved in this project include: Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, England Rugby Football Schools Union and the Students RFU.

Information on the various Bodies

About the Rugby Football Union (RFU)

The Rugby Football Union is the National Governing Body for rugby union in England and supports participants and fans from the grassroots to the national team.

International Rugby Board (IRB)

The IRB is the global governing body for the sport of Rugby Union with more than 6 million men, women and children playing the Game across 118 national Member Unions affiliated to the IRB through six Regional Associations. Headquartered in Dublin the IRB drives development, investment and regulation of a sport that is experiencing unprecedented growth in participation, profile and interest. Among its portfolio of major international tournaments and events are Rugby World Cup, Women’s Rugby World Cup, HSBC Sevens World Series, Women’s Sevens World Series and the IRB Junior World Championship.

Rugby World Cup Ltd

Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind unprecedented investment and growth in Rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from the commercial success of France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled the International Rugby Board to invest more than £150 million in the Game between 2009 and 2012 and commit an anticipated injection of more than £180 million between 2013 and 2016 to underwrite a large range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and strategic investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 119 national Member Unions affiliated to the IRB.

FIRA-AER

FIRA-AER is the Regional Association responsible for governance, development and tournaments in Europe. It currently has 38 Member Unions affiliated to the IRB and with 3.1 million players, enjoys 46% of the world playing population. Its flagship event is the European Nations Cup, which this year will deliver at least two qualifiers to Rugby World Cup 2015.

UK Sport

UK Sport is the strategic lead body for high performance sport in the UK. Established by Royal Charter in 1997, UK Sport is responsible for investing around £100 million of public funds each year – from both the National Lottery and the Exchequer – in high performance Olympic and Paralympic sport. This money is now supplemented by the income from a private sponsorship scheme “Team 2012”.  Accountable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport has a very clear remit at the ‘top end’ of Britain’s sporting pathway, with no direct involvement in community or school sport.