Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots Club Rugby: Recovery after Covid-19

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided Rugby Union with 160 million to support grassroots clubs during the pandemic.
  • Sport England offered an additional 23 million in support for grassroots sports.
  • Sport helps prevent young people from engaging in antisocial behaviour and crime.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sam Tarry
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local clubs face financial difficulties and may close due to the pandemic. A local president expressed concerns about losing whole teams.

Question

What recent steps her Department has taken with the Rugby Football Union to help support the recovery of grassroots club rugby following the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Supporting grassroots sports is a key Government priority. Rugby union received £160 million to ensure club survival during the pandemic, designed specifically for grassroots clubs. Sport England offered £23 million in additional support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address assurance of ongoing funding or working with RFU on financial support.

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Q2 Sam Tarry
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Local clubs face closure, some have already closed. Recent rule changes regarding tackle height were made without consultation.

Question

Local rugby clubs play a vital role in encouraging a healthy lifestyle, bring communities together and provide young people with an opportunity to develop friendships and skills for life. The pandemic has proven ruinous for many local clubs facing closure or significant difficulties; recent rule changes have compounded this issue. Funding will be ongoing and RFU support needed.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Rugby union makes significant contributions in communities; thousands of volunteers ensure club survival. Constantly working with RFU and Sport England for best assessment of needed support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address assurance of ongoing funding or working with RFU on financial support.

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

200 grassroots rugby, football and boxing organisations awarded £5 million for local schemes.

Question

More than 200 grassroots rugby, football and boxing organisations across England and Wales are to be awarded £5 million. Does the Minister agree that these schemes help keep vulnerable young people out of antisocial behaviour and crime?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My hon. Friend is right. Sport helps with health and wellbeing, preventing temptation into areas of crime. Grassroots sports will be a key focus in our sports strategy.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Wales Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

Welsh Rugby Union accused of sexism and misogyny, reaching throughout the culture of Welsh rugby.

Question

The Minister and Secretary of State to reach out to the Welsh Government to provide support and guidance for an independent regulator on setting up?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Sexism, misogyny or any prejudice has no place in sports. As sport is devolved, will reach out to colleagues in the Welsh Government and have a discussion about setting up an independent regulator.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q5 Stephen Crabb Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

75,000 players, coaches and supporters of the union game have signed a petition rejecting the new rules.

Question

Does the Minister agree that given 75,000 players, coaches and supporters have already signed a petition rejecting the new rules, the RFU should think again, work more collaboratively with grassroots across all home nations, ensuring steps taken to improve player safety are consistent?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My right hon. Friend raises an important point; national governing bodies like RFU regulate their sport, ensuring appropriate measures for participant protection from harm and serious injuries. We continue to work with sports bodies including the RFU, prioritising player safety.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether RFU should think again or ensure steps are consistent across all home nations.

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