Irish Rugby TV: Scott Walker On Developing The Domestic Game

IRFU Rugby Development Director Scott Walker spoke to Irish Rugby about plans for the domestic game, including improved retention of age-grade players and increasing the number of female players in clubs and schools.

Commenting on the growth goals in the newly-released IRFU Strategic Plans for the next five years, Scott Walker, the IRFU Rugby Development Director, said: “We recognise that one of rugby’s principal challenges is to retain age-grade players, and if such retention can be maximised, the game will grow. Players of all ages have a clear choice as to whether to participate in rugby or not.

“The strongest influence on the choice they make will be the quality of the experience which they have within the game during their formative years. If the experience is positive, then they are likely to remain within the game. if negative, they will be lost from it.

“Therefore, our priorities should be to build a system which provides the best sporting experience for young people in Ireland, and which gives them good reason to continue in rugby. In parallel the IRFU will work to establish competition formats across 15s and Sevens which allow more players to transition to adult rugby and beyond.

“At the same time, the IRFU will embark on a programme of facilities modernisation and development of a network of artificial pitches.”