World Rugby is the global governing body for the sport of rugby union. It oversees and manages international competitions, sets the laws of the game, and promotes the sport’s growth and development worldwide.
Role and Responsibilities:
International Governance: World Rugby establishes and regulates the laws of the game, ensuring consistency and fair play across all levels of rugby union.
Tournaments and Competitions: It organizes and manages major international competitions, including the Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, Women’s Rugby World Cup, and various regional tournaments.
Player Welfare: World Rugby prioritizes player safety and welfare, implementing measures and guidelines to reduce the risk of injuries and ensure a safe playing environment.
Global Development: The organization works to expand the sport’s reach globally, supporting the growth of rugby in emerging nations through development programs, funding, and resources.
Structure:
Council: World Rugby is governed by its Council, comprising representatives from member unions and regional associations.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and executes World Rugby’s strategic plans.
Member Unions: National rugby unions around the world are members of World Rugby and contribute to the governance and development of the sport within their respective countries.
Rugby World Cup:
World Rugby supports various initiatives and programs aimed at developing rugby at the grassroots level, fostering youth participation, and promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport.
Global Impact:
World Rugby’s initiatives and competitions have significantly contributed to the global expansion of rugby, making it a sport with growing popularity across diverse regions beyond its traditional strongholds.
For more information about World Rugby, its programs and resources, go to www.world.rugby or click here
World Rugby plays a pivotal role in shaping the sport, ensuring its growth, and upholding its values and integrity on a global scale. Its efforts contribute to the continued evolution and success of rugby union as a dynamic and inclusive sport.
World Rugby also has a MOU with IGR, signed in 2015, which has at its core collaboration on the continued promotion of equality and inclusivity in rugby. Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, World Rugby recognises & respects:
the right of any player, official and spectator to be involved with rugby without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or identification
the common goal of inclusion and the elimination of homophobia in rugby
World Rugby and International Gay Rugby (IGR) have signed an historic agreement to collaborate on the continued promotion of equality and inclusivity in rugby.
The agreement, signed at World Rugby House in Dublin this week, outlines a commitment between the two organisations to work together to educate and eliminate homophobia in rugby.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, World Rugby and IGR recognise and respect:
the right of any player, official and spectator to be involved with rugby without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or identification
the common goal of inclusion and the elimination of homophobia in rugby
World Rugby and IGR will consult on issues of importance to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and the game of rugby by:
developing a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on a sense of shared purpose working with regional associations and member unions to improve tolerance and acceptance of LGBT players at all levels within rugby union providing educational tools to World Rugby member unions to support in the elimination of homophobia in rugby supporting the promotion and development of IGR’s events
“We look forward to collaborating with International Gay Rugby to promote inclusivity, equality and friendship as rugby continues to reach out, engage and inspire more men, women and children than ever before.” World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby is an inclusive sport which has at its heart character-building values of passion, integrity, solidarity, respect and discipline. The signing of this historic agreement underscores our commitment to those values and our strategic vision – a game for all, true to its values.”
International Gay Rugby Chairman Jeff Wilson said: “This is a momentous occasion for LGBT athletes, supporters, officials and administrators and the people who support them in the game of rugby. World Rugby is a trail-blazer as a global governing body in committing to actively eliminate homophobia from any sport.
We are committed to partnering with World Rugby to continue our work of making rugby the most inclusive and tolerant sport in the world.
“The bold step by World Rugby to commit to these shared purposes with IGR reflects the character-building values that are important to us all in the sport. Hopefully, other sporting governing bodies can look to World Rugby as a role model and follow suit.”
For more information on the IGR World Rugby MOU, click here https://www.world.rugby/news/59705
