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IRB pumps millions into game
12/05/2008 15:44 - (SA)
London - The International Rugby Board
(IRB) has announced a 48 million pounds
investment programme aimed at raising standards of the sport's
developing nations.
The High Performance Investment Programme, announced on
Monday, will benefit 22 countries as the IRB continues to try to
grow the sport and make its showpiece Rugby World Cup more
competitive.
The investment is a 20% increase on the funding
package for developing nations between 2006-08.
"I am pleased to say the continued success of Rugby World
Cup now means we can invest a further 48m pounds in the
game's continued development," IRB chair Bernard Lapasset
said in a statement.
The 48m is on top of the IRB's annual budget
for grants, tournament funding and various training programmes
meaning a total investment of 153m pounds earmarked for the 2009-2012 period.
Lapasset said the IRB's commitment to developing unions was
already producing results, pointing to the performances of
Argentina and Fiji at last year's Rugby World Cup.
Argentina, surprise semi-finalists at the 2007 Rugby World
Cup, are to receive a four million pounds funding package once its union has completed a restructuring.
Russia, Namibia and Spain will also be included in the next
cycle of handouts.
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Rugby
