RFU extends partnership around participation programme

The Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) commercial partnership with CBRE – which contributed towards a £5m (US$6.9m, €6.4m) total for the body’s All schools initiative – has been renewed until 2019.

Commercial property advisor CBRE will remain the title sponsor for the All Schools programme, which has set the target of launching rugby in 750 state schools which had not previously played by the next Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Since its launch in September 2012, rugby has been embedded in 402 of these schools, and RFU rugby development director Steve Grainger said the investment from the partnership was “fundamental to the success” of All Schools.

During the 2014/15 season more than 130,000 students experience rugby as a consequence of All Schools, with 20,000 becoming regular participants and joining local clubs.

“CBRE All Schools continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted that we have reached our ambitious target of raising £5m through sponsorship and fundraising by last year’s World Cup,” he added.