RFU secures 'record revenues'

Cape Town - England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced record revenues this year following the successful hosting of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

According to a statement released on Monday, the RFU Annual Report and Accounts showed that revenues for 2015/15 "exceeded £200m for the first time."

The RFU put the record figure down to "the effect of the high number of Twickenham matches on ticket, broadcasting, hospitality and other match-day revenues, non-match day conference and event revenues, renewed long-term sponsorship deals and the recognition of Rugby World Cup Revenues to match cost incurred."

"This was a busy and financially successful year with a retained profit of £7.7m after making a record level of investment directly into clubs and in operating the English game at all levels," RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said. 

In summary the highlights for the RFU year were:

-Revenue of £207.9m

-Total investment in rugby up 2% over previous year

-Completion of the Twickenham Stadium upgrade project on time and on budget

-Increased long-term commercial partnerships across the game

-England men and women confirm GB 7s  place for Olympics

-Women & Girls Strategy launched following the England win in Paris in Women’s Rugby World Cup

-All Schools programme, supported by CBRE, has now brought 400 new state secondary schools to rugby

-O2 Touch programme reaches 10,000 registered players

-Investment in and preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015

-Continuing Lead Up & Legacy work

-UNITY project helping rugby development in 17 European nations