Stolen from stuff www.stuff.co.nz/4524444a1823.html
IRB announces $121.9m funding to grow game
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a £48 million ($NZ121.9 million) investment programme aimed at raising standards of the sport's developing nations.
The High Performance Investment Programme, announced early today, 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 per cent 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 £48 million in the game's continued development," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.
The £48 million is on top of the IRB's annual budget for grants, tournament funding and various training programmes meaning a total investment of £153m ($NZ388.5 million) earmarked for the 2009-2012 period.
Lapasset said the IRB's commitment to developing unions was already producing results, pointing to the performances of Argentina and Fiji at last year's Rugby World Cup.
Argentina, surprise semifinalists at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, are to receive a £4m ($NZ10.1 million) funding package once its union has completed a restructuring.
Russia, Namibia and Spain will also be included in the next cycle of handouts.
IRB announces $121.9m funding to grow game
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced a £48 million ($NZ121.9 million) investment programme aimed at raising standards of the sport's developing nations.
The High Performance Investment Programme, announced early today, 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 per cent 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 £48 million in the game's continued development," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.
The £48 million is on top of the IRB's annual budget for grants, tournament funding and various training programmes meaning a total investment of £153m ($NZ388.5 million) earmarked for the 2009-2012 period.
Lapasset said the IRB's commitment to developing unions was already producing results, pointing to the performances of Argentina and Fiji at last year's Rugby World Cup.
Argentina, surprise semifinalists at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, are to receive a £4m ($NZ10.1 million) funding package once its union has completed a restructuring.
Russia, Namibia and Spain will also be included in the next cycle of handouts.
