Australian Rugby
ARU announces record participation numbers
ESPNscrum Staff
February 1, 2011
Australia's Quade Cooper delights some fans, Wallabies training session, St Marys League Stadium, Penrith, Australia, July 16, 2010
Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper greets fans © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: John O'Neill
Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby
Teams: Australia

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has been handed a huge boost following the announcement of record participation numbers for 2010.

Off the back of a box-office year for Robbie Deans' young Wallabies, ARU chief John O'Neill confirmed that there were more people playing union in Australia last year than at any other time since its introduction in the mid 1800s.

Over the course of the last 12 months, 209,571 players picked up a rugby ball - an increase of 8.8% on 2009 and a surge at both youth and senior level.

Nearly 47,500 juniors took to the field, a rise of 3.4% nationally, while more than 40,200 senior players were involved, a 2.3% increase from 2009.

Rugby fights a constant battle in Australia against rival football codes and cricket, with Aussie Rules and rugby league at the forefront and soccer also making a dent on the sporting landscape.

"This is the second year in succession that rugby has registered an increase in playing numbers and that can only be good for the game as we continue to expand throughout Australia," O'Neill said.

"These numbers are extremely encouraging and pleasing. However, there is still plenty of work to do as we continue to grow the game and look to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the expansion of the Super Rugby competition and the approaching Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this year.

"There will be plenty of competition from the other three football codes in the coming year but I am confident that people will look at what Rugby can offer them and they will choose to join our great game in 2011."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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