WORLD CUP WIN BENEFITS

The local benefits of England's Rugby World Cup win were made clear when Colchester Rugby Club published its membership figures.

Total membership was up 13% from 723 to 818, making it one of the biggest sports clubs in the region.  Adult playing numbers remained steady at around 180, although a successful recruitment campaign was tempered by a higher than usual number of players retiring from the game.  This allowed Colchester to field 5 sides most Saturdays plus a midweek veterans team.

The Youth section (12 to 18 years old) saw a 7% increase, but the biggest rise in numbers was in the mini section (5 to 12 years old) where numbers were up by a third.  The Youth & Minis membership now stands at 376 players.  

Youth Chairman Eddie Price was delighted with the figures, but not surprised.  "We knew that the Rugby World Cup would raise the profile of the game, and as England progressed towards the final we were already welcoming new young players to the club," said Price.  "When England won the World Cup the Club was prepared for the surge in interest, and although quite a few children tried the game and decided it wasn't for them, plenty stayed on to the end of the season, and we hope they will come back at the beginning of September when the new season starts."

In March Colchester Rugby Club played host to the Webb Ellis Cup won by England in Australia, and over 1000 people queued to have their photograph taken with it.  This sparked another small rise in membership numbers.

The non playing side of the club saw an increase of 14% to 263 members, the highest that anyone can remember.  Club Chairman Len Nieuwenhuis said: "The support we get from our Vice-Presidents and Family members is very important.  England have done their bit to raise the public's interest in rugby, and it is now up to clubs like ours to show them what a great game it is."

Link to Graph

Some of Colchester's minis with the Rugby World Cup

31/7/04