Rugby participation in the UK

Question
QUESTION: I am currently researching rugby for coursework, and i need to work out this question:

With reference to two contrasting sports, evaluate the factors responsible for their global pattern of participation.

My two sports are windsurfing and of course rugby. I am using case studies of the UK, New Zealand and South Africa. I need numbers of participation, or even averages in order to help answer this question.

ALL SENSIBLE answers are greatly appreciated.


thank you

ANSWER: Hi Sophie.

You might try formally asking the Australian Institute of Sport for data. I figure you will ne to call and find a contact there, maybe a fellow student.

The same goeas for New Zealand. I suggest the main Universities: Dunedin/Otago University has a large sprot / rugby program as well as Auckland Uni. Also the Rugby Union for each country will have done their own research and it may eve be published on line. NZRFU, SARFU etc.

As for Global patterns that is harder to assist with. The Unions are the way to go, especially the marketing departments with regards to the world cup and funding.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Nick

thanks for your help last time, it really helped. i have another question. This time its about the cost of rugby union on the economy of my three case studies.

Being in the UK i know that clubs here aren't very supported, but seeing as New Zealand have rugby union as a national sport i would think they spend a lot on it. However, South Africa is an LEDC and so i would have thought they'd spend less than we already do.

Do you know where i could find some estimate figures? as google has not been so helpful.

thank you

Answer
That is a tough one. In the UK clubs are actually very "rich" via private / corporate funding and sponsorship. That is why a lot of New Zealand players "retire" to a club contract in the UK. A club in the UK can offer double or triple the money of the contract for being a starter All Black, then there is the exchange rate effect on top of that.

In New Zealand rugby is the national game and is so intrenched that it has a government position dedicated to it. New Zealand has a rather "socialistic" heritage so there is a lot of government funding to the sport because of the huge economic, social and cultural affect the sport has.

There really is no comparison between countries because each country has a system that is specifically customized their situation.
As for numbers I could only guess to start with national statistics on the government in New Zealand. I would also search via New Zealand's edition of Yahoo. go to www.yaho.xtra.co.nz and when you search the results will draw more from the New Zealand data bases. You might luck out and find a study or report already done by one of the NZ universities or the Government department which use to be call the NZ DSS (Department of Science and Statistics) or DSR Department of Science and Research I think, it has been a while so it might be different now.

Glad to help, good luck.