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Rugby: Disadvantaged

Asked by Edward MorelloLiberal DemocratDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 8 June 2026UIN 5178

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has provided support to the Rugby Football Union to establish new rugby clubs in disadvantaged areas.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock

The Government believes that opportunities to play sport and get physically active should be available to everyone.

Our arm’s length body, Sport England, is providing long-term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union (RFU) between 2022 and 2029 to support men’s and women’s grassroots rugby union participation. The RFU, as the National Governing Body for rugby union, is responsible for decisions on how and where to target that investment into rugby union clubs.

Grassroots participation issues were discussed with the RFU at a recent event to celebrate grassroots sport held at Number 10, and the Government continues to engage with key stakeholders such as the RFU to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or where they live, has the opportunity to play sport and get physically active.

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