Brazilian Rugby Participation Hits Record Numbers as Countdown to Rio Begins

With two years to go until Rugby Sevens makes its Olympic Sevens debut at Rio 2016, Brazilian boys and girls are getting into Rugby in record numbers, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has revealed.

Rugby participation has grown by 25 per cent since 2011 and, in 2013 alone, more than 9,000 boys and girls in Rio and Sao Paulo were introduced to the sport via the IRB’s Get Into Rugby mass-participation programme.

Meanwhile, Rugby’s preparations to ensure a successful Olympic debut are progressing with the qualification process now in place, unprecedented interest and engagement and a strong development programme underway to grow Rugby in Rio and across Brazil. In a further boost, Brazil men’s and women’s teams will both qualify automatically for Rio 2016.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset led the celebrations: “We are excited about Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games debut and maximising the opportunity of competing on the world’s greatest sporting stage to reach out and inspire and engage new audiences and participants around the world.”

“As we reach the two years to go milestone, we are confident of delivering in partnership with all stakeholders memorable, competitive, and ultimately successful Rugby Sevens competitions at the Rio 2016 Games that the Olympic movement, Rio and Rugby will be proud of.”

Lapasset added: “The IRB, in partnership with the Brazilian Rugby Federation, continues to drive sustainable participation growth in Brazil. In the last year more than 9,000 boys and girls have been introduced to the sport via a variety of development initiatives.”

“To sustain the phenomenal growth, teachers, coaches and referees are being trained in Brazil and the IRB invested more than US$400,000 in both development support and high performance initiatives over the last year to grow participation while increasing competitiveness of the men’s and women’s senior national teams.”