Around 30,900 children and their families are expected to flock to rugby clubs across Wales this weekend, an 8% increase on the number in 2014/15 and a 38% increase from 2010/11.
Ryan Jones, one of rugby’s most famous faces and the WRU’s Head of Participation said,
“What better day to celebrate the growing popularity of rugby amongst young children than International Family Day. Family values and the role of the family in developing enjoyment and success across the game cannot be underestimated. Without a doubt the support, understanding, dedication and good humour of my own family and the wider rugby family are the reasons I’m here today and I’m delighted to see that so many families across Wales are choosing to make rugby part of their weekend family time together.”
Leading the way in terms of minis and juniors participation is Mold RFC, where 339 Under 9s to Under 16s take to the field.
Also doing well are Wrexham (with 295 children), St Peters in Cardiff (292) and Newcastle Emlyn (276). Across the country, 54 clubs are fielding in excess of 200 minis and juniors.
The WRU is urging rugby families all over Wales to share photos of their family enjoying the game together on International Family Day on the WRU’s Community Twitter account @WRU_Community as a way to encourage more families to get involved in the sport.
The growth in mini and junior participation figures is part of a wider WRU strategy to get more people, more often, with more enjoyment involved in Welsh rugby.
In April the WRU opened 28 new cluster centres around the country providing the opportunity for girls-only rugby. Other initiatives include moving to a Spring season for girls rugby and the running of ‘Try our Game’ sessions for women during the RBS 6 Nations to encourage women to understand the health, lifestyle and friendship benefits of the sport.
