RFU Unveils Core Values Campaign

The Rugby Football Union has launched a national campaign called ‘This is Rugby’ to promote and protect the core values of the sport.

The initiative, that has been two years in the making but comes at a highly relevant time, was devised to address concerns that standards of behaviour were changing as more people became involved in rugby.

A task group looked at issues ranging from abusive parents on the touchline at mini-rugby to players becoming less respectful to officials and fans at elite matches growing more hostile.

English rugby’s governing body published the results of their survey, which is separate from the Image of the Game task force appointed in the wake of this summer’s ‘Bloodgate’ scandal, at Twickenham following an extensive consultation exercise at all levels of the game.

The research project produced five core values – Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship – that the RFU believe underpin the sport and recommended that their place at the heart of the game be vigorously promoted.

Now the RFU, in partnership with Premier Rugby Limited (PRL) and the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA), will work to promote the core values through the ‘This is Rugby’ campaign to everyone involved in rugby from the England team to the grassroots game.

It is supported by the International Rugby Board and closely linked to the IRB Playing Charter, the expression of the sport’s principles made by the game’s global governing body.

Concerns over the game’s image led to the formation of the RFU’s Core Values Task Group in 2007 to evaluate what the sport stood for and what it should represent in the future.

The RFU’s Image of the Game task force, formed in response to the recent fake-blood and drugs-related scandals that blighted the game earlier this year, will publish their initial findings at Twickenham next week.

The ‘This is Rugby’ Core Values:

Teamwork: Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome all new team members and include all because working as a team enriches our lives. We play selflessly: working for the team, not for ourselves alone, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.

Respect: Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold in high esteem our sport, its values and traditions and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.

Enjoyment: Enjoyment is the reason we play and support rugby union. We encourage players to enjoy training and playing. We use our sport to adopt a healthy lifestyle and build life skills. We safeguard our young players and help them have fun. We enjoy being part of a team and part of the rugby family.

Discipline: Strong discipline underpins our sport. We ensure that our sport is one of controlled physical endeavour and that we are honest and fair. We obey the laws of the game which ensure an inclusive and exciting global game. We support our disciplinary system, which protects our sport and upholds its values. We observe the sport’s laws and regulations and report serious breaches.

Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with team-mates and opponents. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the wellbeing and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.