The Home Nations survey was launched last year and a number of learnings have already been used to shape priorities in the WRU’s rugby participation strategy.
The WRU has again joined forces with the other Home Nations to gauge the views of the rugby public on the grassroots game.
The key findings from last year’s survey were fairly similar across the four Unions with health and fitness a key factor in the attractiveness of the game, closely followed by team spirit and physicality.
Women in particular would like more opportunities to play the game, while ‘pitch-up-and-play’ and social rugby are seen as key opportunities to grow the game.
From a Welsh point of view, the transition between junior and youth rugby has already been recognised as a key pinch point for player retention and that was confirmed as a concern in the survey. A number of initiatives have been launched in Wales to help ease that transition specifically the development of under 17 teams as a way to keep junior teams together and help with the step-up to youth rugby.
The need to develop the number and quality of referees was also raised by participants of the survey, and a review of the Welsh referee pathway is now under way.
WRU Head of Rugby Participation Ryan Jones said, “Everyone who takes the time to complete this short survey is helping to shape the future of the game in Wales. Getting a better understanding of how participants feel about the game is key to how we interact with them going forward. We know rugby’s values are as relevant as ever and the findings of last year’s survey confirm that two of rugby’s biggest attributes – physical fitness and team spirit – are still integral to the sport’s popularity, with demand for new playing opportunities also extremely high.
“In order to safeguard the future of the game, it’s obvious that we must adapt to the demands of modern society and provide flexible formats and engaging environments to suit our players, coaches, match officials and supporters. Everyone has a view on Welsh rugby, and we want to hear those views.”
Participants of the 2018 survey will influence future WRU strategy with regards to the grassroots game and have the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets for the Wales v Ireland Guinness Six Nations fixture.
CLICK HERE OR GO TO wru.wales/HomeNations2018 TO ANSWER THE SHORT SURVEY AND BE ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAW. Terms and conditions for the prize draw can be found here.
NB. The WRU Group is committed to protecting the personal data we collect and hold about you. You are under no obligation to answer all of the questions on the Home Nations survey 2018, but to do so will allow us to learn more about the rugby family in Wales and enable us to continually tailor and improve our participation strategy. All data provided in the form will be anonymised at the point of submission to ensure that no one will be personally identifiable from the answers they provide. This is also true if you elect to enter our prize draw by providing your email address, as email addresses will be separated from responses to ensure continued anonymity of data. If you wold like to see our Privacy Notice or have any queries regarding the WRU Group’s approach to data protection then please email info@wru.wales in the first instance.
