Get involved in Sport Relief!
February 19, 2002

The Rugby Football Union is urging rugby players across the country from every level to donate money to Sport Relief on the weekend of March 16th.

The 'PAY TO PLAY' weekend will involve rugby clubs donating money in whatever form they can - from win bonuses, a percentage of their match subs, or even a whip-round in the clubhouse after the match.

Sport Relief is an exciting new initiative organised by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to unite sportsmen and women to use their power and passion to help kids and young people who are vulnerable and at risk. The money raised will go to projects at home and across the world.

England's Head Coach, Clive Woodward said: "I'm delighted that the RFU and the rugby community is supporting Sport Relief. I'm sure that clubs from across the country will want to get behind 'PAY TO PLAY' on the weekend of March 16th to support this fantastic cause."

Paula George, the captain of the England women's rugby team, said: "This is a chance for the rugby community from grassroots right up to internationals to play their part and raise money for Sport Relief. Let's all get together on the weekend of March 16th and do our bit."

Terry Burwell, RFU Director of Community Rugby & Operations said: "Pay to Play is a unique opportunity for everyone involved in rugby union in this country to unite. We need everyone from the referees and officials through to school teams and minis to help rugby help Sport Relief."

A number of top sports personalities have already offered their support to the Sport Relief campaign, including Tim Henman, Sue Barker, Sir Steve Redgrave, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Gary Lineker, Nasser Hussain, Martin Johnson, David Beckham, Jonathan Edwards and Martin Offiah. Following the RFU will be some of the major sporting bodies, teams and events including the FA and the England Football team, the England cricket team, the Derby, Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Sport Relief will culminate on Saturday 13th July in a big night of TV on BBC One that will feature a line-up of the biggest names in sport.

To further encourage participation, Clive Woodward has agreed to offer his services as a prize to one of the clubs or schools who send in a donation. Clive will give a personal coaching session to the winning club who will be chosen at random from all those who have sent in their donations by the night of Sport Relief (13th July).

  • To register for a rugby fact sheet and pay to play form call 09068 22 22 22 (calls will costs no more than £1 which covers printing, postage and packing).
  • Donations should be sent by cheque and made payable to Sport Relief (Rugby) with the name of the club or school written on the back to Ernst & Young, P O BOX 678, London EC4A 1NT.
  • For more information about Sport Relief log-on to www.sportrelief.com to register your details and receive more information about Sport Relief.

  • Children and young people around the world will benefit from every penny raised through Sport Relief. Half of it will stay here in the UK, and the other half will reach the most vulnerable children and young people in some of the poorest countries in the world.

  • The Government's Commonwealth Education Fund, launched in Jubilee Year, will match the international efforts of Sport Relief to improve educational opportunities in the Commonwealth.

  • FACTS:
    AROUND THE WORLD:
    About 2.7 million of the 40 million people now living with HIV/AIDS are under 15 years old. Around 800,000 children were infected with HIV and 580,000 died of AIDS in 2001 alone.(UNAIDS -December 2001)

    Over 100 million children are working and living on the street. (Oneworld, 2001)

    More than 2 million children have been killed by conflict in the last 10 years and 300,000 have been recruited as soldiers. (UNICEF, July 2001)

    125 million children never attend school. (Oxfam, 2001)

    IN THE UK:
    2 out of 3 children living in a family where their mother faces violence and abuse at home, are also abused by their mother's partner. (Women's Aid, 2001)

    Last year, over 2,500 children arrived here alone to seek asylum having fled their homes and families in fear. (Home Office 2000)

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