TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU November 2013 Issue 162 RFU RECORD REVENUE AND GAME INVESTMENT The RFU Annual Report look forward to achieving our In summary the highlights for the year were: & Accounts show Group objectives through sustained revenue for 2012/13 reaching and growing investment in • Record £153.5m revenue over £150m for the first rugby up to and beyond the • Investment in rugby as a whole rise of 15% over previous year time in the RFU’s history Rugby World Cup in 2015. • Publication of five-year Strategic Plan and record investment in “During 2012/13 revenue rugby as a whole rising to increased by £42.9m, from • Twickenham Experience Ltd highest ever net profit to the RFU just under £64m, up 15% £110.6m to £153.5m, driven by of £4.9m on 2011/12. the full match programme • The hosting of 25 event days, with nine completely sold out Said CEO, Ian Ritchie, and increased sponsorship. “This was an outstanding year Hospitality and catering • Five concerts hosted for the first time during a financial year in which continued growth remains our single largest • Commercial partnerships refined making them more allowed us to make record revenue stream and increased meaningful across the game investment directly with clubs by £9.9m, due to the number and in operating the English of major international • Continued investment and preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015 game at all levels. We have matches, increased Ian Ritchie Stephen Brown • First year of Lead Up & Legacy work made significant strides across attendances at other matches • UNITY project launched helping development of rugby in the board allowing us to invest an additional £3.5m in grassroots and additional concerts and non-match day events. rugby, largely thanks to a busy calendar of Twickenham events. “The retained profit for the year of £3.8m was achieved after 17 European nations. “Our unsecured loan granted by new banking partner RBS is delivering significant growth in rugby investment. The RFU’s • The first season of complete integration of the women’s game allowing us to upgrade Twickenham Stadium in readiness for profit and loss reserve now stands at a very healthy £20m into the RFU our hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and there is much to which, together with strong financial projections, enable us look forward to throughout the game.” to comfortably accommodate the fluctuations of the four-year • Professional Rugby Review facilitates creation of Chief Financial Officer Stephen Brown added, “We have Rugby World Cup match cycle whilst maintaining investment Professional Rugby and International Performance successfully concluded the first year of our Strategic Plan and in all levels of the game.” Departments ENGLAND PLAYERS QUIZZED ON NATWEST RUGBYFORCE PAULA ROWE Last year’s programme generated huge amounts of resourcefulness in the 400+ clubs England teammates Joe Marler, Christian Wade and 8,000 volunteers who took part in the and Dave Attwood joined forces earlier this DIY weekend in June. This year’s NatWest month to host a quiz night at Bracknell rugby RugbyForce will take place from Saturday 21st club to kick off NatWest RugbyForce 2014. to Sunday 22nd June 2014 and promises to be Now in its second year, NatWest RugbyForce another great weekend. is a nationwide programme designed to make Dave Attwood said: “Every member of the squad rugby clubs stronger businesses by improving started out at a local rugby club - it’s where your and renovating their facilities with the support passion and love for the game is built. of volunteers and the local community. Continued on page 2… PRINCE HARRY PASSES ON PASSION FOR RUGBY NICOLA MARSHALL In his new role as Patron of All Schools, Prince Harry recently gave students from across England a rugby coaching session they are unlikely to forget in a hurry at Twickenham Stadium, alongside Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson. All Schools was set up by the Rugby Football Union to help more secondary state schools start playing rugby. The students were from schools in their second year of the programme, travelling from as far as Tyne and Wear and Hull for the experience. Continued on page 2… TOUCHLINE – NOVEMBER 2013 1 Continued from page 1… PRINCE HARRY AND RUGBY Continued from page 1… NATWEST RUGBYFORCE All Schools promotes the idea that rugby union is a game for All Schools - everyone can play it and Events like this launch are a great way of successful and we’re really looking forward to every school can teach it. It forms one of the RFU’s major legacy strands for the 2015 Rugby World recognising how important grassroots rugby building on this as we continue to show our Cup, to deliver the greatest participatory boost for all levels of the game. In partnership with the Rugby clubs are to local communities and schemes commitment to supporting grassroots rugby Football Foundation, it supports state secondary schools over three years to help them start and sustain like NatWest RugbForce will help to make sure clubs in the UK.” playing rugby union, with kit and equipment, coaching, young leaders training and links to a local club. clubs like Bracknell RFC are around for many Clubs can register for NatWest RugbyForce Prince Harry refreshed his coaching skills from his previous experience with the RFU’s regional years to come.” 2014, with 175 of those who sign up before team nearly 10 years ago, as he joined 50 students on the pitch. He chatted to students taking part Through workshops and online tools the January 17th selected to take part in a project in the programme about the impact rugby is having on them both on and off the pitch, as well as programme provides guidance for clubs on planning workshop. teachers and the RFU’s regional staff responsible for delivering All Schools at a local level. operating as small businesses and become There will be 35 free workshops across Former England Captain, Jason Robinson who was passing on tips and advice to the young stronger and more sustainable through the country and clubs attending will each players said: “It’s great to see so many students from up and down the country taking up the game improved facilities. receive a grant of £500 towards the NatWest and embracing the core values that make the sport so special. They have only been playing rugby Steve Grainger, Rugby Development RugbyForce Weekend. union for just over a year and I’m sure that having the opportunity to meet Prince Harry and play on Director at the RFU added, “Hosting the Following the workshops, clubs will be asked the famous pitch at Twickenham will inspire them to keep playing for many years to come.” Rugby World Cup in 2015 offers an exciting to submit a more detailed project plan for their Over 50 students from schools in the South East were also taking part in a kit design workshop at the opportunity to grow the game across England weekend to be in with a chance of receiving stadium run by Canterbury, Official Partner to All Schools, when Prince Harry paid them a surprise visit. and inspire thousands to take up rugby. additional support towards their NatWest Each school taking part in the programme attends a workshop to design their own team rugby The preparation, to ensure we are ready for RugbyForce weekend. Two clubs from each shirt. The session explores what rugby means to them, whilst teaching pupils about the core values the increased demand, is well underway. of the 35 workshops will then be selected to NatWest RugbyForce is about creating the receive enhanced support of £2,000 or £1,000 right facilities with the right environment to on the basis of their project plans. both welcome new players and enhance the After the NatWest RugbyForce weekend, experience of current club members.” support for clubs will continue with the 175 “NatWest RugbyForce is a fantastic invited to attend a business support seminar opportunity for communities to get together designed by NatWest. and support their local rugby club,” said Martyn Wilson, Senior Sponsorship Manager To register your club for NatWest RugbyForce at NatWest. “Last year’s campaign was very go to: www.rfu.com/natwestrugbyforce YOU ARE THE TEAM’S INSPIRATION TWICKENHAM TELLS FANS NICOLA MARSHALL For the QBE Internationals, England Rugby called on fans to get behind the team by tweeting their messages of support using the hashtag #carrythemhome. To unite the team with their fans, selected tweets from those cheering them on at home and in the stadium appeared on the mid-tier LEDs at Twickenham. Good luck tweets from both last season and this were displayed on the tunnel walls as the players walked out, and fans were given the chance to enter a Twitter competition to deliver their message of support in person and watch the team of the game, the pride associated with the England shirt and the importance of colours, logos and train ahead of the final match against New Zealand. emblems. Canterbury then turns these drawings into final bespoke designs to be proudly worn by A 55-strong male choir in the stadium bowl and England flags given to fans, as well new stadium the school’s rugby team on the pitch. To date 100 schools have received their own uniquely designed branding helped to create a white wall to represent England’s support and heighten noise and team shirts, and an additional 100 schools will benefit from the workshops initiative in 2014. atmosphere of the crowd to inspire the team. Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive, RFU commented: “It was fantastic to see Prince Harry getting stuck The emphasis on boosting the fan experience also included the creation of a new weekly video, The into the action on the pitch with the students and chatting to pupils as they designed their shirts.