The document discusses the IRB's strategic plan from 2010-2020 to grow rugby globally and maximize profits. It focuses on using revenue from the Rugby World Cup to fund development programs in emerging nations like Samoa, Georgia, and Argentina. It also discusses how the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympics will greatly increase the sport's exposure to a global audience of millions. The strategic plan aims to develop the game globally through significant financial investment and political initiatives between the IRB and member unions.

1. Business, Politics & Sport
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2. Rugby World Cup – funding, benefits for host nations, global
viewership
Funding & Development – Strategic Investment Programme
focusing on Samoa, Georgia & Argentina
Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games – IOC vote, exposure for
rugby union, improving the sports ‘product’
Strategic Plan – significant political & financial initiative,
developed by IRB & Member Unions, includes IRB plans for
2010-2020

3.  Rugby World Cup generates vast majority of IRB
revenue through ticket sales, broadcast/sponsorship
deals
 Massive increase of revenue from first World Cup to
2007 World Cup in France
 2011 World Cup dilemma – dependence on
tournament for income
 Positive impact on host nation economy – tourism

4.  IRB vision ‘to grow the Game in developed and
emerging Rugby markets around the world over the
next 10 years’
 Strategic Investment Programme – to assist Rugby
nations to help increase competitiveness
 Samoan High Performance Centre & High
Performance Programme
 Georgia – continued improvement at Test level
 Argentina – inclusion into Tri Nations, extra
funding to help retain Tier 1 status

5.  IOC decision to include Rugby Sevens at 2016 and
2020 Olympics – 81 out of 90 votes in favour
 Huge impact on exposure to rugby union –
millions of viewers
 Competition between sports a major feature in
modern sporting landscape
 Rugby Sevens’ suitability to Olympic Games –
fast, exciting sport that provides a great spectacle
for fans

6.  2007 Strategic Plan – significant financially and
politically
 Developed by IRB and Member Unions
 Addressed how to maximise profits to fund game
globally
 Outlined goals for increasing global participation

7.  Rugby World Cup Limited, Financing the Global Game, viewed September 13
2011 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/0/090904webfinancingtheglobalg
ame_8964.pdf
 Delloite & Touche LLP, Potentional Economic Impact of the Rugby World Cup on a Host
Nation, viewed 16 September 2011 http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-
UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/UK_SBG_IRB2008.pdf
 International Rugby Board, Year in Review 2010, 2010, viewed 16 October
2011 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/04/21/65/204216
5_pdf.pdf
 Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions, Ground-breaking Work To Begin on Samoa High
Performance Centre, 2010, viewed 18 September
2011 http://www.oceaniarugby.com/101213_ground-
breaking_work_to_begin_on_samoa_high.html/ref/267
 International Rugby Board, Year in Review 2010, 2010, p. 15, viewed 17 October
2011 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/04/21/65/204216
5_pdf.pdf
 International Rugby Board, Year in Review 2010, 2010, p. 15, viewed 16 October
2011 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/04/21/65/204216
5_pdf.pdf
 CNN, IOC adds rugby sevens and golf to 2016 Olympics, 2009, viewed 24 October
2011 http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/10/09/olympics.golf.rugby.ioc/index.html
 International Rugby Board, Strategic Plan 2010-2020, viewed October 9
2011 http://www.irb.com/mm/document/aboutirb/irborganisation/02/04/18/08/20418
08_pdf.pdf