Hawk’s Post

Our rugby blog is up and today we compare the international youth tournament - U20 Rugby World Cup with the previous tournaments of the early 2000s - the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments. Which competition was better as a sporting product? "Youth rugby has always been a critical component in the development of future rugby stars, and the evolution of international youth tournaments reflects the sport’s ongoing efforts to nurture young talent. The transition from the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments to the current Junior U20 World Cup has marked a significant shift in how young rugby players are developed and showcased on the global stage. This article examines the differences between these tournaments, evaluates which is the better sporting product, and assesses which format has been more successful in producing top-tier rugby talent." To read more of this article, click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/gHyYpvhV #blog #post #content #sportsbusiness #marketing #sportsmarketing #rugbyunion #youthrugby #tournaments #sportsagents #athletes

Our rugby blog is up and today we compare the international youth tournament - U20 Rugby World Cup with the previous tournaments of the early 2000s - the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments. Which competition was better as a sporting product? "Youth rugby has always been a critical component in the development of future rugby stars, and the evolution of international youth tournaments reflects the sport’s ongoing efforts to nurture young talent. The transition from the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments to the current Junior U20 World Cup has marked a significant shift in how young rugby players are developed and showcased on the global stage. This article examines the differences between these tournaments, evaluates which is the better sporting product, and assesses which format has been more successful in producing top-tier rugby talent." To read more of this article, click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/gHyYpvhV #sports #content #rugbyunion #athletes #youthrugby #marketing #blog #article #writing #sportsbusiness

Our new blog article is now published and available. In this latest article, we pay homage to the two most exciting provincial schoolboy rugby tournaments - the U18 Craven Week and the U18 Academy Week, played in South Africa. Scouts from all over the world attend these tournaments in search of young talent. With the two tournaments currently now on display, I felt that this was the perfect time to write this and to salute them. "South Africa’s passion for rugby is deeply ingrained in its culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in its schoolboy provincial rugby tournaments. Two of the most prestigious events in this arena are the U18 Craven Week and the U18 Academy Week. These tournaments are not just about competition; they are breeding grounds for future rugby stars, providing a pathway for young players to advance their careers. This article delves into the significance of these tournaments, the fierce rivalries among the provinces, and the opportunities they present for aspiring rugby players." You can access the article by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/gGa5S8qy #rugby #schoolboy #action #sports #sportsmarketing #content #blog #writing

According to the World Rugby Museum, the first rugby club in China was formed in Shanghai in 1867. Since then, rugby has been a perennial import of surly expats and homesick punters who wanted to build community and play their favourite sport, often with only a few Chinese joining in. In recent years this has been changing, and the meaning of the game here in China has been changing with it. More locals are playing and getting involved in the “hooligan’s game played by gentlemen”. Patrick Rosevear a Club Organizer in China Rugby and a prominent member of the Rugby community told us that: “The number of local Chinese players has increased in recent years due to Chinese interest in the sport growing on the back of rugby [7s format] becoming an Olympic sport which has led to rugby development programmes being set up by various provincial and city Sport Bureaus as well as high schools and universities across the country.” He went on to offer some numbers to back up this assertion: “…the country now has around 20 full time professional rugby 7s provincial teams (both men’s and women’s), around 50 city teams, 20 university teams, and roughly 20 rugby clubs. There are also a few dozen high school rugby teams (which include some high performance sports institute teams which feed into the professional provincial rugby teams).” Tim Jones the president of the Beijing Aardvarks Rugby Club had this to say about local participation in Rugby: “Chinese participation in rugby is growing all the time. As a member of the committee of an amateur rugby club there are Chinese teams looking to play us and many Chinese players looking to start and experience rugby culture.” The most visible gains have been made on the women’s side of the game. The Chinese Women’s Olympic Rugby side went from not qualifying in 2016 to 7th place in the Tokyo Olympics, and came out on top in a qualifying tournament in Montevideo against teams like Argentina and Belgium. Challenges to adoption of rugby still remain though, as Charlie Walker, a leader in the Beijing Ducks Rugby team explains: “I think a barrier that still causes problems in the growth of rugby in China is communication between coach and players. The lack of high-quality Chinese speaking coaches being a particular issue.” With increasing awareness, and the investment being made in Chinese players who are rising to greatness in all levels of the sport, this challenge is sure to be short-lived. #rugbyinchina #sports

The introduction of non-contact rugby in schools is a progressive move by the RFU to address declining youth participation due to injury concerns. This initiative ensures that schools with strong rugby traditions can safely maintain the sport while encouraging new schools to join. The launch of T1 rugby, a non-contact format, is particularly exciting as it retains the essence of the game while reducing injury risks, opening the door for broader participation. This approach, backed by equipment and resources from the RFU, is a positive step towards growing the sport inclusively and safely. https://lnkd.in/eSEmYzQP #Rugby #T1Rugby #RFU #SportsInjury

Balancing Growth with Responsibility with Proposed New Club World Cup Rugby is set to embark on its first-ever Club World Cup in June 2028. Amidst the buzz, it's essential to reflect on the broader implications and ensure a balanced approach to growth. With numerous rumours and false starts over the years, every new tournament announcement begs the same questions: What about player welfare? What's in it for the fans? And what are the financial considerations for clubs, especially concerning travel costs? As seen in the recent international World Cup in France in 2023, rugby boasts a global audience passionate about the sport. This fervor underscores the potential for the Club World Cup to captivate fans worldwide. However, with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Now is the time to take calculated risks. Collaboration among stakeholders is paramount, leveraging the power of data to ensure the viability and sustainability of the competition. By making informed decisions, we can strike the right balance between innovation and tradition, growth, and responsibility. Exciting times lie ahead for rugby, and it's up to many involved in the game to seize the moment while prioritising the well-being of players, the excitement of fans, and the financial health of clubs. #RugbyEvolution #ClubWorldCup #DataDrivenDecisions #sobirhosportsolutions #drivingsportthroughdata https://lnkd.in/gXDXVy_D

Its not just about how you start...

Admittedly, I had a knee jerk reaction when I saw all the pink and purple in the World Rugby initiative Rugby Rising Play. (Sidenote: at 42 years old I'm working on understanding my own conditioning against societally identified "girlie things".) But looking at the broader negative reactions to this promo, reinforced self-reflection regarding my initial reaction and how that conflicts with my genuine belief about the sport of rugby - Women and girls are diverse, and all types of folks play and enjoy rugby. I have arrived here: This promo video is a good reminder that we need many different paths to entry into the game that make all people and children feel comfortable to join the game. Rugby is not just about being tough, it is also about finesse, tactics, style, and evolving as a game - and for that we need all kinds of people to join. If there is a sector of girls that will see this and feel that rugby is a place where they may belong - as fans or as athletes - it is a good thing and I applaud it. Women and girls are NOT a monolith, even in a tenacious sport. Some of the best athletes I coached only ever participated in theater or cheerleading or music and they applied their focus and became amazing rugby players. We as a rugby community have to reach our hands out to every type of person and let them decide if they want to be a part of the community. This World Rugby promo is an example of that. And YES, rugby needs fans! So even when people try rugby and find that playing the sport isn't for them, there is still a place for them as a fan. As for the fandom, children - especially girls, can find strength in watching others display their toughness. We allow boys who have never played Pee-Wee Football (little kids American football) to watch and admire the NFL players each week. We see how it makes them feel powerful and confident, so why not girls and rugby? Are we, as a rugby community, defining little girls who like pink, purple, and sparkles and resigning them to be moms and caretakers only?!? If so, that is absolute rubbish. So let's broaden the circle - that's what the women+ of this game have been doing. You should continue to follow our lead.

🚨 15% of players in the England men’s Euro 2024 squad went to a private school. This compares to 8% of the England men’s Euro 2021 squad, and none of the England women's World Cup squad ⚽️ However, football does fare much better on representation when compared to other English sports teams. In 2019, our analysis found that 43% of the England men’s cricket team were privately educated, and 37% of the England men’s rugby team. Our analysis of the England players’ backgrounds ahead of the European Championships semi-final ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/efNhDVm5

Great article from The Times today reflecting on how Wasps tapping into hotbed of Kent could ‘transform’ English game. Transforming English Rugby: Wasps' Strategic Move to Kent Exciting developments are on the horizon for English rugby as Wasps eye a revival in the Championship with a potential move to Kent. The plan to play at The Valley in 2025-26, in a ground-share arrangement with Charlton Athletic, is more than just a comeback—it's a strategic move that could revolutionize the sport in the southeast of England. Kent, often overlooked in professional rugby, is home to 63 community clubs and a wealth of untapped talent. By establishing a permanent base here, Wasps aim to create a new powerhouse in the rugby world, offering young players a clear pathway to the professional level. This move aligns with broader efforts by the RFU and Premiership Rugby to decentralize talent development and ensure that promising players don't have to travel hours to access top-tier training. But while Wasps are making plans, Canterbury Rugby Club has already taken action. The club has launched an academy linked to Archbishop’s School in Canterbury, providing four rugby sessions a week for 16 to 18-year-olds, many of whom are refugees from Ukraine and Syria. This initiative, funded by local sponsors, is designed to fast-track talent from Kent into professional rugby. Canterbury is now positioning itself as a hub for Saracens' satellite academy, ensuring that local players have a direct route to top-tier rugby without leaving the county. The implications for the local economy, grassroots sports, and the future of English rugby are profound. As Wasps work towards securing a permanent home in Kent, they stand to not only strengthen the game but also to create lasting community impact. Stay tuned as Wasps, a club with a storied history, embarks on this transformative journey. The Garden of England is ready to bloom into a rugby powerhouse. The full article at - https://lnkd.in/ej3PnZJT (subscription needed) #Rugby #Wasps #Kent #SportsDevelopment #CommunityImpact #TalentPipeline