INTERVIEW
Increasing the number of playing rugby is of paramount importance to the grassroots chief, who is aiming to double the current number of 26,000 regular female participants over the next couple of years. “We have a number of target groups,” says Grainger.
The RFU expects its new pitches to attract 16,000 new players
the country is receiving significantly more rainfall. This can be seen from the rugby heartlands of Devon and Cornwall all the way to the north-west. “One thing we tend to get in the north is a greater percentage of one-pitch clubs, whereas down south you
“We have a significant number of women and girls
tend to get more two-, three- and four-pitch clubs. If
playing in certain areas of the country, but we also hope
we want to grow in the north and grow around a club
to retain a lot more players in the 16-24 year-old bracket.
with only one pitch, then opportunities surrounding
That age group is critical for us to engage with.”
this are going to be much more limited.”
Retaining players and limiting drop-out rates is seen
The first round of artificial pitches located in Preston,
by many as the most challenging element of managing
Aylesbury and Weston-super-Mare are scheduled to open
participation, and Grainger is convinced that the nature
for the end of November/early-December, and Grainger
of artificial grass pitches – which can be played on with
is confident that the increase in artificial surfaces, and
greater frequency than grass pitches – will allow players
their perceived benefits, will be accepted and taken on
to take part at different times of the week that suit
board by the wider rugby community.
them, rather than being limited to weekend matches.
“If this investment proves successful we’ll do more,” he explains. “This is a long-term aim to see a greater spread
GREAT BRITISH WEATHER
of rugby played on both natural turf and artificial pitches.
Weather also has a bearing, and Grainger is quick to
“In the future, when clubs start to think about
point out that research done by the RFU is not limited
resurfacing or expanding and enhancing their pitches
to population demographics, but also focuses on the
and facilities, they’ll think of artificial turf or some of
weather conditions of different parts of the country.
the hybrids coming onto the market. It’s part of the
“If you look at the statistics coming out of the Met Office it’s probably no surprise that the west of sportsmanagement.co.uk
transformation programme which is inevitably going to happen over the next couple of decades.” ● Issue 128 November/December 2016 65