“It’s time to revive and restore rugby’s spirit”
MANY READERS of Rugby World will recall the days when August meant anticipation, the glorious feeling that the rugby season was about to begin, in earnest and at all levels, so everyone could rejoin one of the most fervent brotherhoods and sisterhoods anywhere in life and sport. But this autumn has brought a major campaign launched by the RFU, which seeks to revive the concept of rugby as recreation and as a wonderful community activity. This is because the grand old sport – like many activities – has been losing its grip on its audience, and that is depressing.
Every sport changes over the generations, of course. But that cannot stop a few of us hankering after the days when some clubs ran 12 adult teams, maybe more, and when consistency of support and loyalty to each club was a staple. Time moves on.
The RFU campaign aims to retain players of
