Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Professional Rugby: West Midlands

22 June 2023 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Nigel Evans Con Worcester

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Nigel Evans raised concerns about professional rugby: west midlands in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The debate discussed the impact of Worcester Warriors rugby club's situation on the community and the importance of professional rugby for local economies and player development.
  • Evans urged the Minister to use his influence with the Rugby Football Union to provide clarity on how to bring teams back into professional rugby and ensure its sustainability.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of professional rugby clubs and highlighted government financial support during the pandemic, which helped clubs survive.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Nigel Evans Con Worcester

The debate discussed the dire situation of Worcester Warriors rugby club and its impact on the community. It highlighted the importance of professional rugby in bringing families together, supporting local businesses, and providing a platform for young players to develop their skills. The speech emphasised the need for government intervention to support the sustainability of the sport and maintain a footprint of professional rugby across all areas of the country. Evans urged the Minister to use his influence with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to provide clarity on how investors can bring teams back into professional rugby and make it sustainable.

Other contributors (1)
  • Robin Walker

    Celebrated the ongoing success of the Warriors women’s team and acknowledged the importance of Government support during the pandemic. Emphasised that without significant changes, there will be no top-flight rugby teams in the west midlands for many years.

Government Response

Stuart Andrew

The Minister acknowledged the important role of professional rugby clubs and expressed his commitment to supporting the sport's growth and sustainability. He highlighted the Government’s financial support during the pandemic, which helped ensure the survival of rugby union clubs at all levels. The minister also mentioned the appointment of independent advisers Ralph Rimmer and Chris Pilling to provide recommendations for a sustainable solution by the end of July. He emphasised the need for governance reforms that include stronger financial regulations to improve the state of the sport. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of supporting women's rugby and encouraged other sports to learn from rugby union’s challenges.

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