RFU plans to develop more volunteers through the Young Rugby Ambassadors programme

By Gary Anderson

October 31 - To mark two years to go until the final of the Rugby World Cup 2015, former England international Will Greenwood was on-hand in Birmingham to help the Rugby Football Union (RFU) inspire and develop more young volunteers through its Young Rugby Ambassador programme.

The initiative aims to raise the profile of rugby across England and inspire other young people in the build-up to Rugby World Cup 2015 and beyond and will see Young Rugby Ambassadors working in their clubs to share the latest tournament news from Rugby World Cup 2015, raise awareness of rugby in their local area and help to get 16 to 24-year-olds from their community playing the game.

Greenwood, part of the England side that claimed the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia in 2003, attended one of the 10 briefings launching the campaign at England 2015 host stadium Villa Park, with events also taking place in the nine other English cities which will host matches in two year's time.

The briefing days involved hundreds of young volunteers and mentors from rugby clubs nationwide.

The Young Rugby Ambassadors took part in workshops to discuss ideas for community projects to inspire people about rugby, explored different leadership and ambassadorial styles and shared information about Rugby World Cup 2015.

England international and Rugby World Cup 2003 winner Will Greenwood attended a special launch event for the Young Rugby Ambassadors programme at Villa Park in Birmingham

"I've seen close-up what rugby can teach you – camaraderie, discipline, leadership, personal responsibility and fun," said Greenwood, an England Rugby 2015 Ambassador.

"They are all part of the magical mix and the best part of all is that you don't have to be at the top of the game to be able to enjoy it.

"I'll always think of rugby as a great family sport; little ones running around using up their energy and developing their hand-eye co-ordination, learning how to work as a team, getting fit and healthy, mums and dads doing the coaching then making burgers in the clubhouse – it really is a fantastic way to spend the weekend and has given me some of my fondest memories.

"I want Rugby World Cup 2015 to act as a catalyst to get more people finding out what their local rugby clubs can offer in terms of a community and a support base.

"A rugby club is a great place to be around all through the week.

"It can be a real anchor not just in terms of health and fitness but also a social life and developing friendships."

The Young Rugby Ambassadors programme is the latest in a series of campaigns being run by the RFU in an attempt to capitalise on the interest and develop more participation opportunities for young people to get involved in rugby in the build-up to the sport's premier international event which is due to kick-off on September 18 2015 and will see 20 nations competing over 48 matches in England and Wales.

Twickenham Stadium will play host to the final of the Rugby World Cup 2015 two years from today

In September "Posts in the Park" was launched by former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio which will see up to 100 posts installed in parks in the 10 English host cities, including London, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Brighton, Gloucester and Exeter by the time the tournament begins while the RFU's All Schools campaign aims to get 750 state schools playing rugby in the run up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup and beyond.