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The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced today that there were more rugby union players in Australia last year than at any time since the game was introduced to Australia in the mid-1800’s.
ARU CEO John O’Neill revealed that participation numbers for 2010 broke the 200,000 mark for the first time in history.
Mr O’Neill said the record number of players in 2010 was hugely significant and underlined how the code was again heading in the right direction.
“This is the second year in succession that rugby has registered an increase in playing numbers and that can only be good for the game as we continue to expand throughout Australia,” he said.
Overall a record 209,571 people played rugby in 2010, an increase on 2009 numbers of 16,990 (8.8%).
Nearly 47,500 juniors played in 2010, increasing playing numbers by 3.4% nationally. More than 40,200 seniors were involved in competition, boosting senior numbers by 2.3%.
Key areas of participation in 2010:
· NSW Juniors up 7.0% to 20,708 (record)
· Overall playing numbers in NSW up 8.1% to 84,428 (record)
· QLD Seniors up 8.7% to 10,195 (record)
· Overall playing numbers in QLD up 6.3% to 57,843 (record)
· ACT and Southern NSW Seniors up 4.6% to 3,097 (record)
· Overall playing numbers in ACT and Southern NSW up 16.9% to 16,436 (record)
· VIC Seniors up 9.1% to 2,501 (record).
Where the players are:
· NSW 43.95%
· QLD 30.11%
· ACT 8.56%
· WA 6.68%
· VIC 5.71%
· SA 3.05%
· NT 1.45%
· TAS 0.49%
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.