Rugby Player Numbers Hit all time high

There were more Rugby Union players in Australia last year than at any time since the game was introduced to this country in the mid-1800s.

Australian Rugby Union Managing Director and Chief Executive John O'Neill revealed how participation numbers for 2010 were at record-breaking levels and soared past the 200,000 mark for the first time in history.

Overall a record 209,571 people played rugby in 2010. This was an increase of 16,990 (8.8%) on 2009. It was also a substantial increase of 7.7% on the previous record of 193,382, achieved in 2006.

Nearly 47,500 juniors played in 2010 increasing rugby's junior playing numbers by 3.4% nationally, while more than 40,200 seniors were involved in competition, increasing senior numbers by 2.3% from 2009.

Other key areas of participation in 2010 included:

• NSW Juniors up 7.0% to 20,708 (Record),
• Overall playing numbers in NSW up 8.1% to 84,428 (Record),
• QLD Seniors up 8.7% to 10,195 (Record),
• Overall playing numbers in QLD up 6.3% to 57,843 (Record),
• ACT and Southern NSW Seniors up 4.6% to 3,097 (Record),
• Overall playing numbers in ACT and Southern NSW up 16.9% to 16,436 (Record),
• VIC Seniors up 9.1% to 2,501 (Record).

O'Neill said the record number of players in 2010 was hugely significant and underlined how the code was again heading in the right direction, stating "this is the second year in succession that rugby has registered an increase in playing numbers and that can only be good for the game as we continue to expand throughout Australia.

"The number of seniors playing rugby in Queensland broke the 10,000 mark for the first time with 10,195 registered sSeniors playing on a regular basis.

"In NSW our Junior playing numbers surpassed 20,000 for the first time with 20,708 Juniors registered to play across the state in 2010.

"These numbers are extremely encouraging and pleasing. However, there is still plenty of work to do as we continue to grow the game and look to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the expansion of the Super Rugby competition and the approaching Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this year.

"There will be plenty of competition from the other three football codes in the coming year but I am confident that people will look at what rugby can offer them and they will choose to join our great game in 2011."

Where the players are:

• NSW 43.95%
• QLD 30.11%
• ACT 8.56%
• WA 6.68%
• VIC 5.71%
• SA 3.05%
• NT 1.45%
• TAS 0.49%.

For more information go to www.rugby.com.au 

8th March 2010 - CASH-STRAPPED QUEENSLAND LOOKS TO ARU