Gourt Home::Gourt :: Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the rugby union governing body in England.
In 1871 21 English clubs met at a London hostelry to form the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which would draw up rules for the game first played at Rugby school in 1823. There would have been 22, but the Wasps' representative never reached that inaugural meeting.
Similar unions were organised during the next few years in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Canada, South Africa, and the United States.
Among the Union's chief activities are conferences, organising international matches, and educating and training players and officials. Their publications include handbooks and guides for coaches. Headquarters are at Twickenham, Middlesex, inside Twickenham Stadium.
The national team is called England Rugby.
The Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) are partners in a joint venture called England Rugby Limited (ERL) created to manage the elite professional game in England.
The RFU's turnover for the year ended 30 June 2005 was £84.8 million, up from £72.3 million the previous year. £18.9 million was distributed to member clubs. *
International connections
Since 1890 the RFU has recognised the International Rugby Board as the world governing and law-making body for the game of Rugby Union. Other countries' governing bodies are often called by a simliar name for example, Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). See the IRB article for a full list of National Rugby Unions.
History
Main article: History of rugby union: The forming of the First Rugby Union
See also
- England national rugby union team
- Guinness Premiership
- National Division One
- Powergen Cup
- Calcutta Cup
- English Rugby Union teams
- Rugby union in England
External links
Rugby union governing bodies | Rugby union in England | Sports governing bodies of the United Kingdom | Organisations based in England | 1871 establishments
"Rugby Football Union"