RFU President's perfect pass to Chancellor

A Westminster reception last week saw the Chancellor of the Exchequer, MPs, the England rugby squad and Rugby Football Union representatives in a huddle which it is hoped will further the ambitions of the sport and the government to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.

The RFU President Bob Rogers thanked the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, who is President of the Commons and Lords Rugby Union Football Club, for hosting the event and Paul Farrelly MP for his help in arranging the reception. He also particularly thanked members of the England squad for coming along in a busy Test week.

Talking to a gathering of some 150 MPs and RFU representatives he stressed the importance of the link between sport and good health. Inactivity came at a cost, he said, while taking part in sport helped people's physical and mental wellbeing. Investing in sport made financial sense because it saved in investment created by the results of unhealthy lifestyles, like sickness and obesity.

The Rugby Football Union was completely supportive of the London 2012 Olympics and welcomed the improved facilities and the boost the event promised for sport in the UK.

The Union remained committed to delivering the Government's plans relating to investment in community sport and community rugby clubs. Rugby union was, he said, "A total experience, a game for life, for all ages, both genders and the whole family."

The sport was "built upon very important values: loyalty to team, club and country; discipline and respect for people and property; courage; contribution especially where thousands of volunteers gave freely of their time for the good of others; fun and enjoyment. These," he said, "Are the reasons to increase participation."

He said that regular participant, whether players, coaches, referees or administrators were excellent role models. The England team was the flag ship and he congratulated them for their "exemplary conduct on and off the field and the way they display all the values of rugby."

He reminded his audience that there was a huge amount of activity and participation going on below the international level. Players ranged from minis to adults, at ten levels and more. Rugby union in England embraced competitive games and leisure rugby and served the health and wellbeing of more than 2,25 million participants every week."

The RFU's focus was on providing better facilities in order to benefit and attract more participants. The Union's clubs across the country were investing in better facilities to benefit their local communities.

The RFU was, said Bob Rogers, indeed grateful for the funding opportunities provided by central and local authorities and other public sources like the Community Club Development Programme and Landfill Tax. He questioned, however, the level of taxation levied on sport and said that the cost of such requirements as corporation tax, VAT, rates, despite the bringing in of concessions for Community Amateur Sports Clubs, took money away from sport which could be invested in benefiting more people.

The RFU was working to deliver the government's sports agenda. The Union would continue to do so while completing the new South Stand at the national stadium at Twickenham, where with no public funds a world leading stadium was now being completed, incorporating 82,000 seats and commercial facilities including a hotel, health and fitness centre, a new Rugby Store and offices for the organisation. Around 90% of the demolished stand had been recycled in the new development. The new stand would bring revenue to invest in the community game.

The values inherent in rugby union benefited local communities particularly in terms of social cohesion. When people joined a local club it reduced disruption, brought a healthy outlet to channel their energies and gave life a focus. The Union strongly supported measures taken against the use of illegal drugs, inappropriate betting and touting of tickets.

The future would see the completion of Twickenham Stadium, said Bob Rogers. Hopefully, more success for the England team both in the last Investec Challenge match against South Africa and in the RBS 6 Nations in the Spring. It would see the successful completion of clubs' programmes in both domestic and European competition; a two match summer tour for England and three warm up matches before the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

It would bring increased participation in rugby, increased investment in facilities and "a better tomorrow".

Source: Rugby Football Union